GEMA’s 'Ready Georgia' to Give Away NOAA Weather Radios

For the third consecutive year, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency’s Ready Georgia campaign is partnering with WSB-TV’s Family 2 Family to get Georgians prepared for severe weather.  To kick off the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season, the organizations are giving away 200 NOAA Weather Radios, which are considered to be life-saving devices.

From June 1 through July 15, Georgians can visitwww.ready.ga.gov and create a Ready Profile for a chance to win one of 200 Midland radios.  Those who enter will also get a personal preparedness plan, as well as a customized checklist of emergency supplies.

In addition to being able to win a radio, WSB-TV’s Family 2 Family also partnered with Midland Radio and Kroger, so Georgians can get NOAA Weather Radios at greatly reduced prices.  Kroger stores statewide are offering the original In-Home Midland Weather Radios for just $29.99 and the new portable handheld radios for just $34.99. 

GEMA officials say that NOAA Weather Radios are as crucial to a family’s safety as smoke detectors, yet 74 percent of the state’s population has not purchased or programmed one of these life-saving devices.

“If you are sleeping or away from a computer or TV, your NOAA Weather Radio may be the only thing that will alert you to advancing threats, which are likely during hurricane season and year-round,” said Charley English, director of GEMA/Homeland Security.

The Atlantic basin is expected to see an above-normal hurricane season this year, according to the seasonal outlook issued by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center.  GEMA urges all Georgians, regardless of where they live in the state, to prepare for hurricanes’ most dangerous threats, including tornadoes, storm surge, inland flooding and high winds.

More information on hurricanes and their associated hazards is available at www.ready.ga.gov.