CAIRO — With possible inclement weather around the corner, Grady County’s Emergency Management Agency (EMA) director said there are plans in place for the county in a severe weather event. 

Director Richard Phillips spoke on the county’s action plan in a severe weather event at Tuesday’s Grady County Board of Commissioners meeting. 

“We do have shelters in place,” Phillips said.  

The county’s main shelter is the Agri-Center building, 65 11th Ave. NE.  

“That’s the first shelter shelter we’re going to open up,” Phillips said in the event of severe weather, adding the facility could hold 150 people.  

If the Agri-Center building gets flooded, Phillips said, the county has other shelters in place, including the fire department, which can hold around 75 people. 

Phillips also noted shelters in Grady County will not open until residents become displaced from their homes. 

As Irma, a Category 5 hurricane, is making its way through the Virgin Islands and is projected to affect south Florida, Phillips urged those in attendance to have a preparation plan. 

“You need to be getting prepared now,” he said. 

Phillips noted ways for getting prepared such as keeping a full tank of gas, along with purchasing water and canned food. Phillips also encouraged the use of the Ready Georgia mobile app. 

Grady County Administrator Carlos Tobar encouraged small business owners to back up data in order to resume operations following a severe weather event. 

“The data has to be backed up off-site somewhere,” he said. 

For more information, contact the Grady County EMA at 377-0628. 

Reporter Jordan Barela can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1826.