By subscribing, you agree to share your email address with us and Mailchimp to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from us. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.

Hurricane Ian is a strong Category 4 storm slowing off Florida’s west coast and its effects will be felt throughout most of Florida and Georgia. The National Weather Service says Georgia can expect heavy flooding. It’s also possible that high winds may knock out power to widespread areas across the state. As of press time, the National Weather Service in Peachtree City is predicting strong wind gusts and one to four inches of rain:

[❗6AM Update❗] Impacts from #HurricaneIan 🌀 will span well beyond the center of circulation. Extended periods of wind gusts (30+ mph) and heavy rainfall (1-4 inches) will be the primary hazards from early Thursday through early Sunday for north and central GA. #gawx pic.twitter.com/wqH2adQrAk

Don’t be fooled by the beautiful weather today! Now is the time to make a plan and to check your emergency supplies in case of power outages and storm damage here in Clayton County and metro Atlanta. Worst case scenario: you’ll be ready for any other storms coming our way this hurricane season. Please share this information with family, friends, and neighbors.

Every home should have an emergency kit. Assemble your kit and place items in one or more plastic bins.

Your emergency kit should contain:

Consider what other items you might need for your household’s situation. That could include things like a generator, spare fuel cans, cleaning wipes for surfaces, personal care wipes, or disposable diapers.

Collect clean tap water (cheaper than buying bottled water) in clean containers at home. You can clean your bathtub thoroughly and fill it with water as an emergency backup. Be sure to boil any water you use for cooking or drinking over an extended period of time.

At minimum, you should at least have a change of clothes in a plastic bag and any medications and personal paperwork, wrapped in a couple of plastic bags, inside a backpack.

Things to consider putting in your kit include:

Robin Kemp is executive editor and CEO of The Clayton Crescent, which she founded in 2020. She has worked for Gambit, CNN, The Weather Channel, Clayton News, Henry Herald, and numerous freelance outlets.... More by Robin Kemp

You must be logged in to post a comment.