In the light of our experience with Hurricane Irma, it is important to note the advice from DeKalb Emergency Management as follows:
Prepare your home and business for impacts from storm-force wind and rain.
Know places to seek safe shelter in your home or business.
Bring in or secure outdoor furniture, trash cans and any other objects that may be blown around.
Trim branches that may cause damage.
Do not tape windows, this wastes time and has been shown through research to have no benefit.
Prepare for loss of power for several days.
This includes having water for each member of your family, including pets and kids.
Have non-perishable food that can be eaten without using electricity or microwave to prepare.
Do not use grills or other open flame indoors.
Have battery-powered lighting and extra batteries. Do not use candles (risk of fire!)
Keep cell phones charged. Have a way to charge your cell phone, either by battery or by using a car charger, even a hand-crank charger.
Ensure you have enough cash, as ATMs, debit and credit card machines may be out of service during a power outage.
Keep generators outside and away from windows, doors and other vents. Generators emit invisible, odorless carbon monoxide gas that can kill you!
Do not attach the generator to your house or business unless a generator switch has been installed by an electrician for this purpose.
Please do not call 911 to report power outages, unless life threatening. Call Georgia Power at 1-888-891-0938.
Sign up for DeKalb County CodeRED at www.dekalbcountyga.gov. This will ensure you receive any emergency information and severe weather warnings by phone call, text, or email.
The DeKalb County non-emergency number is 404-294-2911.
Call 911 only for life-threatening or other emergency situations (including suspected criminal activity).
For the latest information on weather and traffic conditions, visit 511ga.org
In cases of price gouging, do not call local police or 911. Please call the Georgia Consumer Protection Unit, 1-800-869-1123.