Just how bad will the approaching storm be? Here’s what residents need to know

Published 2:12 pm Monday, April 3, 2017

VALDOSTA — A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for the region, but forecasters say the approaching storm cell isn’t expected to be as severe as the one that ripped through the region in January, spawning tornadoes and massive destruction and taking multiple lives.

Still, the forecasted high winds could do just as much damage as a tornado, Lowndes County officials said Monday afternoon.

“Once the storms arrive the main threat will be from damaging winds which could reach speeds of up to 70 mph during the strongest storms,” said Ashley Tye, Lowndes County Emergency Management Agency Director.

“Tornados are always possible, but straight line winds are also a huge concern because they usually come through with no warning and create pretty much the same level of damage in their path.”

The rough weather will hit the county tonight between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. But after that the area still isn’t in the clear, Dukes said.

The storm may pick back up around midnight and be even more severe than the first round, Dukes said.

The entire county — and especially the northwestern part — is at risk of severe storms that could bring hail, high winds and tornadoes to the area.

The county won’t get much rain, so flooding isn’t a concern, Dukes said, but the storms could snap trees and power lines and damage homes and properties.

Here’s what residents need to do to protect themselves, their loved ones and their property, according to the county:

1. Sign up for Lowndes County CodeRED, the free emergency notification system.

To sign up, visit www.lowndescounty.com and click the CodeRED icon.

“That’s a phone call or a text or an alert that is going to hopefully wake you up during the night,” Dukes said. “Nighttime storms are especially a concern because people are asleep. You don’t always hear the things that you would hear if you were awake and outside during a tornado.

“So turn the ringer up on your cell phone and make sure that you are signed up for CodeRED because you’re going to get those emergency warnings and alerts directly from the National Weather Service as soon as they post them.”

2. Get a hold of a working NOAA radio.

“These are very inexpensive radios that can be programmed just for alerts in our area. They are available at many local retailers,” Dukes said.

3. Stay tuned to local media.

“We have multiple outlets that will continue, just like EMA Lowndes will, to keep people updated through social media through the night and their websites as well,” Dukes said.

EMA Lowndes will update its Facebook page with developments through the night, Dukes said.

Because phone service can be wiped out, Dukes said it’s important to have access to information from several different devices.

4. Secure outdoor patio furniture, trampolines, toys or anything else that could be blown away in the storm.

5. Trim or remove branches or vegetation that could damage property.

6. Bring pets inside or fortify their outdoor shelters to withstand the expected wind gusts.

7. Only call 911 in an emergency.

“If there’s power lines down, if there are trees over the road, or there is damage to infrastructure, that is absolutely an emergency and we want people to call for those things,” Dukes said.

“We don’t want people to call and just ask if the weather’s done or what things are looking like tomorrow or if it’s going to have an impact on the fishing forecast.”

After all that, “it’s just a waiting game,” Dukes said.