White County EMA warns: Prepare for winter storm
Business January 14, 2022
PRESS RELEASE
Are You Prepared for the Next Winter Storm?
Snow and ice are a scenic part of winter, but in Georgia, severe winter weather has the potential to devastate communities and affect millions of people.
The National Weather Service refers to winter storms as “deceptive killers” because most deaths are indirectly related to the storm. Instead, people die in traffic accidents on icy roads and of hypothermia from prolonged exposure to cold.
“One of the primary concerns of winter weather is its ability to knock out heat, power and communications services,” said White County Public Safety Director Murphy. “Preparation is inexpensive and easy and can help you avoid potentially life-threatening situations.”
White County Emergency Management Agency and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security’s (GEMA’s) Ready Georgia campaign offers these tips:
Prepare a Ready Kit of Emergency Supplies
• Prepare a Ready kit of emergency supplies for your home. Include with at least a three-day supply of nonperishable food, water, a flashlight with extra batteries, a NOAA Weather Radio, adequate clothing, and blankets to keep you warm, as well as additional supplies for the unique needs of your family, such as medications.
• Keep an extra Ready kit in the trunk of your car. In addition to the essentials, consider adding an ice scraper, extra blanket, sand for traction and jumper cables.
• Ensure proper home insulation by placing weather stripping around doors and windows, allowing faucets to drip during cold weather to prevent freezing and opening cabinet
doors to let heat reach uninsulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.
• Winterize your vehicle and keep your gas tank at least half full to prevent your fuel line from freezing.
Create a Winter Weather Plan
• Plan to stay inside, if necessary, for at least three days. If trapped outside during severe winter weather, try to stay dry, cover all body parts, periodically move limbs to keep blood circulating and, if possible, build a fire.
• Winter storms are often accompanied by power outages. Always exercise caution when using alternative light and heating sources:
o Use flashlights during power outages instead of candles to prevent the risk of fire and keep plenty of extra batteries on-hand.
o Never bring portable generators, camp stoves and grills into your home; they
should only be used outside. Keep them at least 20 feet away from your home’s
windows, doors, and vents to prevent deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.
• People who depend on electricity to operate medical equipment should have alternate arrangements in place in case power is out for an extended period.
• If you have a wood-burning fireplace, consider storing wood to keep you warm if winter weather knocks out your gas or electric heat. Also, make sure to have your chimney cleaned and inspected every year.
• Learn how to keep food safe during a power outage.
• Avoid traveling by car in icy conditions. If you must go out and do get stuck, stay with your car. Leave the overhead lights on when the engine is running so you can be seen.
• Plan for pets to come inside and store adequate food and water for them.
• Create an emergency communications plan so family members will know who to contact if separated during a storm. Designate at least one out-of-town contact that all family members can call.
Stay Informed about Winter Weather
• Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio and monitor commercial radio, television, and the Internet to stay informed of winter weather.
• Learn about the terms used to describe winter hazards such as freezing rain, sleet, winter weather advisory, winter storm watch and winter storm warning.
• Know the symptoms of frostbite and hypothermia. Frostbite occurs when your body tissue freezes. Your extremities may have a white or pale appearance and may lose feeling. The most susceptible areas of your body are the fingers, toes, earlobes, or the tip of your nose. Hypothermia occurs when your body temperature falls below 95degrees. Warning signs include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and exhaustion. If you suspect you have frostbite or hypothermia, get medical attention immediately.
To help families prepare, Ready Georgia, a statewide emergency preparedness
campaign established by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security and supported by White County EMA, offers the tools needed to make an emergency supply kit, develop a communications plan, and stay informed about potential threats.
Visitors to Ready Georgia’s website, www.ready.ga.gov, can create an online profile to receive a tailored plan for the entire family that includes the specific number of supplies to put in their household Ready kits. They can also find local emergency contact information, learn about Georgia-specific disasters, and read preparedness testimonials from local sports stars.
Children’s games and activities can be found on the ReadyKids page, and households with elderly or disabled family members and pets will also find specific information on preparing for severe weather. For preparedness on the go, families can also download Ready Georgia’s free mobile app to learn how to prepare for emergencies, create family communications plans and more.
For more information, contact White County EMA at (706) 865-9500 or visit our website
at https://www.whitecountyga.gov/
White County Operations Update during COVID-19
News March 19, 2020
LUMPKIN COUNTY, Ga. — White County is implementing its emergency response plans and working diligently to ensure the health and safety of county employees who deliver services to our citizens. The county has closed those functions that encourage social gathering such as the Senior Center, libraries and parks and recreation through the end of the March.
The Emergency Operations Center is open and monitoring the pandemic and helping elected officials make informed decisions about limiting operations and potential closings. White County is providing COVID-19 information on its website, www.whitecounty.net, and also on the Emergency Management Facebook page.
Below is a list of White County operations and their current operating status. Please understand that the COVID-19 pandemic is a very fluid situation that may call for a change of operations at any time. White County will update this information on a daily basis.
O confirmed cases of COVID-19 in White County according to Georgia Department of Public Health.
White County Commissioner’s Office – The Board of Commissioners office remains open at this time. Citizens are encouraged to do as much business as possible electronically or on the phone. Contact 706-865-2235 for information.
White County Emergency Management Office – The office is open. Contact 706-865-9500.
The EOC is open and monitoring the Pandemic. White County is currently at Level 3, normal operations.
The Civilian Emergency Response Team is on standby but have conducted inventories of emergency equipment.
White County Fire Services is operational but limiting access to fire station and EMS to protect first responders.
White County EMS is operational and using enhanced precautions to protect first responders.
Animal Control is open. Please call ahead if you wish to surrender a pet. Contact 706-219-2689.
White County Clerk of Court – The office is open. Social distancing guidelines are in place. Contact 706-865-2613.
Under Georgia Supreme Court and Enotah Circuit Judicial orders, any non-essential hearings and court filing deadlines are suspended until expiration of said orders.
Essential hearings are being held utilizing 4-6 feet of social distancing between parties.
Online filings are available for civil matters, real estate and liens. All filers are encouraged to e-file or mail requests if possible.
All judicial and non-judicial functions of the office are being conducted with no delays.
White County Sheriff – Office is open. Contact 706-865-5177.
Jail – inmate contact has been suspended with greater isolation to prevent introduction of virus to jail population. Enhanced health screenings in place. Contingency plan in place in the event of needing to hold infected inmates.
Personal protective equipment has been distributed and is being used by both patrol and jail personnel.
Limited access to Sheriff’s administrative and records offices.
White County Probate Court – Office is open. Contact 706-865-4141
Operating under Georgia Judicial Emergency Order – non-essential hearings, trials and service have been temporarily suspended.
Essential/Emergency/Critical needs will proceed on case-by-case basis, please call ahead regarding cases or services.
White County Senior Center – Center is closed. Call 706-865-4097 to report concerns about seniors.
Meals on Wheels and wellness checks are continuing.
Staff is available by phone or e-mail.
White County Parks and Recreation – Recreation Center and gymnasium are closed. Contact 706-865-5275.
All scheduled activities, including practices and games for volleyball, baseball and softball are cancelled through April 3.
Yonah Preserve Trails and outdoor facilities are open. Social distancing is recommended.
Staff is available by phone or e-mail.
White County Libraries – Libraries are closed to the public. Contact 706-865-5572.
Book drops are available through March 20.
Statewide courier book requests can be picked up curbside upon request. Call ahead to make arrangements.
Staff is available by phone or e-mail.
White County Community and Economic Development – Office is open. Electronic and phone communication is encouraged. Contact 706-865-6768.
Building Inspections and Permits – Call 706-865-6496 to request inspections. Call prior to coming to office for permits.
Planning and Zoning – Call 706-865-6768 to make appointments. Walk-ins are discouraged.
Code Enforcement – Call 706-865-6496.
GIS/Mapping – Call 706-865-6496.
Transfer Station – Open normal hours. Call 706-865-3716.
White County Convenience Center – open normal hours (Mon/Wed from 9-5 and Saturday from 8-4.) Call 706-865-7655.
White County Public Works (Road Department) – Office is open. Call 706-865-2510.
White County Tax Assessors – Office is open. Contact 706-865-5328.
White County Tax Commissioner – Office is open. Contact 706-865-2225.
Additionally, payments can be made by web renewal, using credit/debit cards and at the drive through window.
White County Extension Office – Office is open. Contact 706-865-2832.
White County Voter Registration – Office is open. Contact 706-865-7812.
Presidential Primary election has been postponed to May 19, 2020.
Absentee ballots will be sent out beginning March 31 to those that request them.
White County Coroner – Office is open. Contact 706-8653101.
White County Water Authority – Office is closed to public. Contact 706-865-0788.
Bill payment can be completed by mail, over the phone, utilizing drop boxes at the office or at Gatway Plaza on 129 South, or online at www.whitecountywater.org (you will need the web ID number off your bill.)
Staff is available by phone or e-mail.
White County Schools – Schools are closed per Governor Kemp’s order.
On-line learning is happening. Those without internet can pick up work packets on Mondays at your school. Teachers are responding by phone, e-mail and on-line learning venues.
School nutrition is providing sack lunches and next-day breakfast at distribution location on the White County Schools website. Drive through meals can be picked up at White County Middle School from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. weekdays.
Alpine Helen/White County Welcome Center – Center is closed. Contact 706-878-3842.
Tourist information is available outside the center. Staff is available by phone or e-mail.
City of Cleveland – City Hall is closed March 17-27. Call 706-865-2017.
Staff is available by phone or e-mail.
Fire station is on lockdown with no unauthorized entry.
City of Helen – City Hall is open. Contact 706-878-3382.
This list will be updated daily.
For more information concerning this press release contact the White County Emergency Management Agency at 706-865-9500.
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