Georgia County Government - July 2008 - (Page 21)

Feature 2008 Hurricane Season Forecast to be Active Though the 2008 hurricane season is just beginning, GEMA urges government agencies and businesses to take simple steps to make certain they’re prepared. T he 2008 Atlantic Hurricane Season is June 1 through Nov. 30 and is expected to be well above average in terms of hurricane activity, according to noted forecaster William Gray of Colorado State University. Gray issued his prediction in April, and foresees 15 named storms with eight of those reaching hurricane strength (winds of, or exceeding, 74 miles per hour [mph]). Those eight hurricanes are expected to include four intense or major hurricanes with winds of 111 mph or higher (defined as Category 3, 4 or 5 on the Saffir/Simpson scale). The National Hurricane Center in Coral Gables, Fla., plans to release its own hurricane forecast for the 2008 season later this month. On May 28-29, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) hosted its two-day functional exercise, HURREX 2008, in the State Operations Center (SOC). Included in the exercise was a complete activation of all operational areas within the SOC, including full activation of each of the 15 Emergency Support Functions (ESFs). The exercise scenario encompassed a Category 4 hurricane impact along the Georgia coast. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, as well as the National Weather Service (NWS) Office in Jacksonville, Fla., assisted GEMA in the development of the storm scenario. Also included in the overall exercise plan is the intent to encourage and assist small-scale response exercises by other state and local agencies, which will interface with the state functional exercise. According to GEMA Exercise Program Director Jeff Morrison, the benefits of these smaller-scale exercises include the ability of state and local response agencies to evaluate specific plans and procedures while interacting with state level response groups. This state-level interaction will assist in the development of a realistic information flow from local responders into the SOC. government agencies and businesses to take simple steps to make certain they’re prepared. Doing so can help them protect important records, stay in touch with employees and deliver uninterrupted customer service. 1. Make a list of key contacts and keep it off-site. 2. Back up your critical information and store it someplace safe. 3. Have a backup for your telephone system and computer server. 4. Evaluate whether you need a “shadow” system. 5. Evaluate whether you need an alternate worksite. 6. Set up an emergency information line. GEMA Reminds Governments, Businesses to Prepare Though the 2008 hurricane season is just beginning, GEMA urges Bill Read to Head Prediction Center NOAA officials recently named Bill Read as the new director of its Tropical Prediction Center, which includes the National Hurricane Center and two other divisions, in Miami. Read has served as HURRICANE continued on page 22 JULY 2008 www.accg.org 21 http://www.accg.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Georgia County Government - June 2008

Georgia County Government - June 2008 Contents President’s Message County Matters Laurens, Treutlen and Wheeler Counties Work Together to Leverage Economic Development 2008 Hurricane Season Forecast to be Active GDEcD: Georgia Is Bolstering International Marketing Efforts U.S. Communities Announces Auto Parts Service Contract Energy Innovation Center Opens in Warner Robins Coweta County Uses Innovative Road Construction Techniques Counties & The Law: An Analysis of Ten Commandments Displays in Georgia Courthouses Georgia’s Grand Old Courthouses: Talbot County Extension News: Youth Summit Teaches Civic Engagement Research Corner: Train Me! NACo News: NACo Seeks Obesity Prevention Programs County Parade Index of Advertisers

Georgia County Government - June 2008

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