UWG is approximately 240 miles from the Gulf Coast and 260 miles from the East Coast and has been impacted by hurricanes and other tropical weather in the past. Hurricane season lasts from June 1 through November 30. It is important to prepare ahead of any tropical weather.

What to Know

• Be Informed
• Make a Plan
• Build a Kit
• You Are the Help Until Help Arrives

What to Do Before the Storm

• Ensure disaster supply kit is stocked
• Fuel vehicle
• Inform family and friends of plan, especially if sheltering in a different location than residence
• Remove or secure outside items such as potted plants, grills and lawn furniture

What to Do Before the Storm

• Stay indoors and do not travel during the storm
• If winds become strong, stay away from doors and windows – take refuge in an interior room, closet or hallway
• Do NOT use candles, which can increase fire risk
• Understand that emergency services might not be able to respond during the storm

What to Do After the Storm

• Document any damage with pictures
• Take reasonable actions to protect your property from further damage
• Check on your neighbors
• Avoid downed power lines and flooded areas
• Expect delays and inconveniences
• Even campus may be damaged, so please use care when traveling around to avoid hazards

Lightning is one of the most underrated severe weather hazards, yet ranks as one of the top weather killers in the United States. Lightning strikes in America kill about 50 people and injure hundreds of others each year. Unlike other weather hazards that often involve sophisticated watches and warnings from the National Weather Service, lightning can occur anywhere there is a thunderstorm.

What to Know

The 30-30 Rule

• 30 Seconds: Count the seconds between seeing lightning and hearing thunder.  If this time is less than 30 seconds, lightning is still a potential threat. Seek shelter immediately.
• 30 Minutes:  After the last lightning flash, wait 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.

What to Do

• Avoid open high ground and isolated large trees.
• Avoid water (swimming pools, lakes and rivers), beaches and boats.
• Seek shelter inside a building or an automobile, but not a convertible or a golf cart.
• Stay away from doors, windows, and metal objects such as pipes or faucets.
• Monitor your NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio.
• Use the 30-30 rule for outdoor activity.

What to Do If Someone is Hit by Lightning

• Call 9-1-1. Provide directions and information about the lightning strike and victim(s).
• Give first aid. Do not delay CPR if the person is unresponsive or not breathing.
• If possible, move the victim to a safer place. Lightning can strike twice. Don’t become a victim.

You can tell how far away lightning is by counting the seconds between seeing the lightning flash and hearing thunder. For every five seconds you count, lightning is one mile away.

Get More Info

• Lightning safety from the National Weather Service

Thunderstorms are a common occurrence throughout the south. They form throughout the year but are most common during the warm season when wind off the coast flows inland during the afternoon. Thunderstorms can produce lightning, damaging winds, heavy rain, hail and tornadoes. Thunderstorms are classified as “SEVERE” by the National Weather Service once they contain winds in excess of 58 mph, hail 1 inch in diameter or a tornado. Meteorologists at the Storm Prediction Center may issue a “Watch” if conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms within the next few hours. 

What to Know

• Severe Thunderstorm WATCH = conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorm development. Be aware and monitor weather information.
• Severe Thunderstorm WARNING = a severe thunderstorm has been sighted or indicated by radar. Take protective actions.

What to Do

• Have a Public Alert™ certified NOAA weather radio with battery back-up to receive warnings.
• If a severe thunderstorm WARNING is issued for your location, move to interior areas away from windows, doors and outside walls.
• Vehicles, trailers and modular buildings may not provide good protection. Go to a nearby building.
• If outside, seek refuge in a nearby building.
• Report campus damages to the University Police (678) 839-6000 .

Get More Info

• Severe Thunderstorm Safety from the National Weather Service

Tornadoes can form in a variety of ways, and in all seasons, but are often in association with a severe thunderstorm. The greatest number of tornadoes occur in June, July and August. These are typically short-lived events that can produce minor damage but seldom take lives. In the state, winter and spring tornadoes are often more powerful because of the presence of the jet stream’s high level winds.

Nationally, large tornadoes tend to occur in the late afternoon and early evening hours following buildup of heat in the lower atmosphere. However, strong to violent tornadoes are just as likely to occur after midnight as they are in the afternoon. During the late summer and fall, tropical cyclones can spawn tornadoes over the state.

What to Know

• Tornado WATCH = conditions are favorable for tornado development. Be aware and monitor weather information.
• Tornado WARNING = a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar. Take protective actions.

What to Do

• Have a Public Alert™ certified NOAA weather radio with battery back-up to receive warnings.

• If a tornado WARNING is issued for your location, move to interior areas away from windows, doors and outside walls.

• Vehicles, trailers and modular buildings may not provide good protection. Go to a nearby building.

• If outside, seek refuge in a nearby building.

• Report campus damages to the University Police (678) 839-6000 .

Get More Info

• Severe Weather Awareness from the National Weather Service

What to Know

• Wind Chill Advisory = Cold Weather Expected, Exercise Caution. Cold and breezy conditions could cause frostbite or hypothermia if precautions are not taken. Dress in layers and cover up exposed skin.
• Wind Chill Watch = Dangerous Cold Possible, Be Prepared. There is a chance of very cold air and strong winds will combine to generate low wind chills which could result in frostbite and hypothermia.
• Wind Chill Warning = Dangerous Cold Expected, Plan Ahead. Very cold air and strong winds means frostbite or hypothermia could occur in a matter of minutes. Limit time outside, dress in layers and over up exposed skin.
• Winter Weather Advisory = Wintery weather expected, exercise caution. light amounts of wintery precipitation or patchy blowing snow will cause slick conditions and could affect travel if precautions are not taken
• Winter Storm Watch = Snow, Sleet or Ice possible, be prepared. Confidence is medium that a winter storm could produce heavy snow, sleet, or freezing rain and could significant impacts.
• Winter Storm Warning = Snow, Sleet or Ice expected, Take action! Confidence is high that a winter storm will produce heavy snow, sleet, or freezing rain and cause significant impacts.

What to Do

When extreme cold weather is in the forecast, it is important to remember the “5 P’s of Cold Weather Safety.” The 5 P’s are:

• Protect People: Remember to dress in layers and wear a hat and gloves. It is important to try to stay out of the wind and to stay dry. Also, remember to check on young children and the elderly who are the most sensitive to cold weather.
• Protect Pets: If cold weather is in the forecast, be sure to bring outdoor pets inside or give them a warm shelter to stay in.
• Protect Plants: Cover cold sensitive plants to protect them from the dangerous temperatures.
• Protect Pipes: Cover pipes and allow outdoor faucets to slowly drip to prevent from freezing and breaking.
• Practice Fire Safety: Use safe heating sources indoors. Do not use fuel-burning devices such as grills; they release carbon monoxide, which is a deadly gas. Also, make sure to use space heaters according to their instructions and be attentive to open flames.

Get More Info

• Winter Weather Safety and Awareness from the National Weather Service