Severe Weather Incident Annex

Severe Weather Incident Annex Georgia Emergency Operations Plan

GEORGIA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND HOMELAND SECURITY AGENCY

Severe Weather Incident

Annex

Annex to Georgia Emergency Operations Plan

GEMA/HS Planning Section

9/7/2016

APPROVAL AND IMPLEMENTATION

Transmitted herewith is the updated Severe Weather Incident Annex to the Georgia Emergency

Operations Plan. This incident annex supersedes the annex of the same name dated 2007 and

any/all previous emergency management/civil defense severe weather annexes promulgated by

the state of Georgia for this purpose. It provides a framework in which the agencies of the state

of Georgia can plan and perform their respective emergency functions during a disaster or

national emergency.

This incident annex attempts to be all inclusive in combining the four phases of Emergency

Management, which are (1) Mitigation: those activities which eliminate or reduce the probability

of disaster; (2) Preparedness: those activities which government, organizations, and individuals

develop to save lives and minimize damage; (3) Response: to prevent loss of lives and property

and provide emergency assistance; and (4) Recovery: short-term and long-term activities which

return the community to normal or with improved standards.

It will be revised and updated as required in the future. All recipients are requested to advise the

Director of Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) of

any changes which might result in its improvement or increase its usefulness.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Severe Weather Incident Annex describes the necessary steps the state will take to

prepare and respond to a severe weather incident. It describes the actions taken by the

State’s agencies that have been assigned emergency support function roles with the

Georgia Emergency Operations Plan. This incident annex is meant to be a guide, in

that it allows the state of Georgia to adjust its response based upon the size and scope

of the incident.

The Severe Weather Incident Annex is designed to meet Federal Emergency

Management Agency standards, Emergency Management Accreditation Program

standards, National Incident Management System requirements, and is compliant with

the Georgia Emergency Operations Plan. This Severe Weather Incident Annex also

meets the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements to make it accessible

under the ADA.

 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
 
Record of Changes .................................................................................................................... i 
Record of Distribution ............................................................................................................... ii 
0  Introduction ......................................................................................................................1 
1 Purpose ............................................................................................................................1 
2 Scope ...............................................................................................................................1 
3 General Objectives ...........................................................................................................1 
4 Policies .............................................................................................................................1 
0  Situation Overview ........................................................................................................2 
1 Hazard Analysis ................................................................................................................2 
0  Situation Overview ........................................................................................................3 
1 Incident condition ..............................................................................................................3 
2 Planning Facts and Assumptions ......................................................................................3 
0  Concept of Operations (CONOPS) ...................................................................................4 
1 Annual Preparedness activities .........................................................................................4 
2 Coordination .....................................................................................................................7 
3 Roles and Responsibilities: Emergency Support Functions (ESF) ....................................9 
4 Logistics ...........................................................................................................................9 
5 Crisis Communications/Media Relations ...........................................................................9 
0  Plan Development and Maintenance ..............................................................................10 
0  References .....................................................................................................................10 
1 Federal ...........................................................................................................................10 
2 State ...............................................................................................................................10 
0  Attachments .................................................................................................................... xi 
1 Appendix A: Acronyms .................................................................................................... xi 
2 Appendix B: Annual Preparedness programs ................................................................. xii 
3 Appendix d: NWS Severe Weather product definitions .................................................. xvi 
4 Appendix e: Enhanced Fujita Scale for Tornado Damage ............................................. xvii 
5 Severe ThunderstormState synchronization matrix ........................................................ xix 
 

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Record of Changes

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B. Wade

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1.0 Introduction

1.1 Purpose

The purpose of the Severe Weather Incident Annex is to provide a framework for the state

of Georgia to be prepared, execute a well-coordinated, efficient response, and recover from

severe weather related impacts within the state.

1.2 Scope

The Severe Weather Incident Annex supports the Georgia Emergency Operations Plan

(GEOP) and applies to Georgia state agencies and partners assigned Emergency Support

Function (ESF) responsibilities by the Governors Executive Order 01-14-13-01 and the

GEOP. This incident annex outlines details associated with severe weather planning,

preparedness, response, and recovery. It includes descriptions of the hazards and threats

the State faces, the actions the state will take to support local jurisdictions and the structure

in which state resources will operate within.

1.3 General Objectives

A) The objectives of the Severe Weather Incident Annex are:

1. Facilitate a rapid, well-coordinated, and efficient state response to a major

severe weather event.

2. Provide fast, effective, and cooperative organization to respond to a major

severe weather event.

3. Establish a flexible and scalable foundation for responding to severe weather

events that overwhelm local capabilities.

1.4 Policies

A) Documents utilized as guidance for this incident annex include, but are not limited to

the National Response Framework (NRF), National Incident Management System

(NIMS), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Comprehensive

Preparedness Guide (CPG) 101 – version 2.0.Through the utilization of these

documents this incident annex is compliant with the NRF and the NIMS Incident

Command System (ICS) protocols.

B) This incident annex will be implemented by the Director (or his/her representative) of

the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS),

in conjunction with the GEOP, following the declaration of a State of Emergency by

the Governor of Georgia (or his/her representative) during the days preceding

potential impacts from severe weather.

C) All state resources utilized during a response will remain under the control of their

respective agency / department / organization. Federal resources will be requested

by the state to augment response capabilities. Federal resources requested by the

state may be subjected to cost sharing as dictated by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster

Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (the Stafford Act).

D) Additional disaster response plans may be initiated during a disaster response

caused by a severe weather impact to Georgia. Plans that may be utilized can be

found in the incident and support annexes of the GEOP as well as in GEOP

Standard Operating Guides.

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2.0 Situation Overview

The state of Georgia is vulnerable to a variety of severe weather hazards. This incident annex

addresses the hazards associated with severe thunderstorms. For tropical cyclones, floods,

and winter weather, GEMA/HS developed separate incident annexes to address these hazards:

Tropical Cyclone Incident Annex, Flood Incident Annex, and Winter Weather Incident Annex.

Additional incident annexes addressing Drought and Excessive Heat have also been developed.

2.1 Hazard Analysis

A) Severe Thunderstorms

1. The National Weather Service (NWS) defines a severe thunderstorm as any

storm that produces one or more of the following: a tornado, damaging wind

speeds of 58 mph (50 knots) or greater, and/or hail 1 inch in diameter or

larger. While most severe weather events are limited in terms of their impact,

duration, and spatial extent, these hazards remain some of the most common

in the state of Georgia. According to Spatial Hazard Events and Losses

Database for the United States (SHELDUS) data, 296 severe weather events

have occurred per year from 1960-2012. These events in total have caused

990 injuries, 168 fatalities and over $1.2 billion in damages. A detailed

analysis of the potential severe weather impacts to the state can be found in

the state of Georgia Hazard Mitigation Strategy (2014).

B) Hail

1. As stated in the severe thunderstorm definition above, hail is considered

severe when it reaches 1 inch in diameter. Hail can reach sizes much larger

than the severe threshold size. Hail causes close to $1 billion in damage to

property and crops each year in the U.S. While property is typically at

greatest risk for hail damage, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration (NOAA) estimate that 24 people are injured from hail each

year.

C) Tornadoes

1. Within the state of Georgia, tornadoes can occur anywhere. However, the

areas of impact for tornadoes are fairly isolated, typically ranging from a few

hundred feet to one or two miles across. Tornadoes affect far less areas than

larger meteorological events such as hurricanes and winter storms.

2. There is no exact season for tornadoes; however, most occur within the time

period of early spring to middle summer (February – June). In Georgia, 1,438

tornado events have occurred from 1952 – 2012, according to SHELDUS

data. This equates to approximately 24 events per year historically. These

events have caused 2,940 injuries, 153 fatalities and over $1.7 billion in

damages.

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D) Wind

1. Severe thunderstorms in Georgia have the potential to cause extensive wind

damage. Severe winds are defined as having an intensity of 50 knots (58

mph) or greater. Straight-line winds can reach speeds of up to 100 mph and

produce damage similar to a tornado. According to the NWS, damaging

winds occur about 19 days per year in Georgia and are more likely during

spring and summer months with a peak in July. During these months,

damaging winds are more likely to occur during mid-afternoon and early

evening. The NWS’s Office of Climate, Water and Weather Services

estimates that during the 20-year period of 1995 – 2004, wind related deaths

averaged 55 per year.

3.0 Situation Overview

3.1 Incident condition

A) The entire state of Georgia is vulnerable to the hazards associated with severe

weather. When severe weather occurs, the impacts can be devastating and may

affect isolated locations or multiple jurisdictions simultaneously. When the impacts

exceed the capabilities of local jurisdictions, the state must respond in a timely,

organized, and efficient manner in order to save lives, mitigate property damage, and

restore a sense of normalcy to the community. This response is coordinated through

the State Operations Center (SOC) in concert with local, state, federal, volunteer,

and private sector partners.

3.2 Planning Facts and Assumptions

A) Severe weather related hazards can occur at any time throughout the year;

B) Local jurisdictions adversely affected by severe weather may declare local State of

Emergency upon being impacted;

C) Local jurisdictions adversely affected by severe weather may utilize mutual aid

agreements as part of their response to the disaster;

D) Local jurisdictions affected by severe weather may request resources from the state

as the situation evolves;

E) The Governor may declare a State of Emergency for severely affected areas to

enable state resources to rapidly assist affected jurisdictions as needed;

F) The GEMA/HS Director (or his/her designee) may activate the State Operations

Center (SOC) and the GEOP to coordinate assistance to the affected jurisdiction(s);

G) The state of Georgia may request interstate mutual aid through the Emergency

Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) if the Governor has declared a State of

Emergency;

H) Federal assets will only be available to assist if a Presidential Disaster Declaration as

defined by the Stafford Act is in effect.

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4.0 Concept of Operations (CONOPS)

The Concept of Operations summarizes the operational response activities of the state and

includes the typical operating conditions for a severe weather event. This Severe Weather

Incident Annex Concept of Operations establishes pre-event protective actions that will be taken

by the state to prepare for, respond to and recover from a severe weather event.

The CONOPS provides information relating to the needs and expectations of local governments

and ESF partners. It serves as a valuable communication instrument for informing stakeholders

and ESFs of the operational and support context during a severe weather event.

This section includes annual preparedness activities, preparedness actions by severe weather

risk categories and response operations. The preparedness activities are based on the Severe

Thunderstorm Risk Categories developed by the Storm Prediction Center (SPC), an agency that

is part of the NWS and the National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP). The SPC

products are associated with different possible impacts and the probability that the impacts will

occur.

4.1 Annual Preparedness activities

The annual preparedness activities include reviewing and updating operations plans,

developing Standard Operating Procedures, conducting training and exercises, facilitating

public outreach and education, reviewing impacts from previous severe weather events, and

incorporating lessons learned and best practices into operational procedures.

A) The annual preparedness activities and programs include but are not limited to the

following:

1. NWS StormReady Program

2. NOAA Weather Radio Initiative

3. Emergency Management Network

4. Emergency Alert System

5. Severe Weather Preparedness Week Initiative

6. Ready Georgia Campaign

* See Annex B for more details.

Preparedness actions by severe weather risk category

The preparedness actions are based on SPC Severe Thunderstorm Risk Categories.

The SPC products are associated with: a) different intensities of impacts, b) the

probability that the impact will occur, and c) the probability of a severe weather event

within 25 miles of location. The preparedness activities are not intended to be

exhaustive; the actions listed represent an overview of the most important and

mission critical actions/decisions to be undertaken to support the response effort.

The categories are summarized below. Detailed guidance for each category level by

ESF is provided at 7.6 (Severe Thunderstorm State Synchronization Matrix).

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B) Marginal (MRGL):

1. Marginal Risk – An area of severe storms, of either limited organization and

longevity, or very low coverage and marginal intensity.

2. Impacts expected: Winds 40-60 mph; hail up to 1”; low tornado risk.

3. Actions:

a) Maintain situation awareness of current and future weather

conditions.

b) Maintain email and telephonic contact with the State Operations

Center (SOC).

c) Coordinate assigned resource requests.

d) Maintain communication with Area Field Coordinators, School

Safety Coordinators and County Emergency Management

Agencies (EMA) for the geographic area(s) potentially impacted.

C) Slight (SLGT):

1. Slight Risk – An area of organized severe storms, which is not widespread in

coverage, with varying levels of intensity.

2. Impacts expected: One or two tornadoes; reports of strong winds/wind

damage; hail~1”, isolated 2”.

3. Actions:

a) Maintain situation awareness of current and future weather

conditions.

b) Maintain email and telephonic contact with the SOC.

c) Monitor WebEOC for resource requests.

d) Maintain communication with Area Field Coordinators, School

Safety Coordinators and County EMAs for the geographic area(s)

potentially impacted.

D) Enhanced (ENH):

1. Enhanced Risk – An area of greater (relative to slight risk) severe storm

coverage with varying levels of intensity.

2. Impacts expected: A few tornadoes; several reports of wind damage;

damaging hail, 1-2”.

3. Actions:

a) Maintain situation awareness of current and future weather

conditions.

b) Maintain email and telephonic contact with the SOC.

c) Monitor and coordinate WebEOC for resource requests.

d) Maintain communication with Area Field Coordinators, School

Safety Coordinators and County EMAs for the geographic area(s)

potentially impacted; consider requesting a Governor’s State of

Emergency Declaration.

e) Consider initiating Wireless Emergency Alerts.

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f) Consider upgrading the SOC activation level to Elevated

Activation.

g) Send the awareness statement by email to GEMA/HS staff, ESF

partners, EMA directors, and school superintendents, with relaying

information from the NWS concerning the forecasted severe

weather situation.

h) Review emergency supply inventory and test equipment and

systems.

i) Review pre-scripted notification messages for severe weather and

check contacts and specifications in order to ready the notification

system.

E) Moderate (MDT):

1. Moderate Risk – An area where widespread severe weather with several

tornadoes and/or numerous severe thunderstorms is likely, some of which

should be intense. This risk is usually reserved for days with several

supercells producing intense tornadoes and/or very large hail, or an intense

squall line with widespread damaging winds.

2. Impacts expected: Strong tornadoes; widespread wind damage; destructive

hail 2”+.

3. Actions:

a) Maintain situation awareness of current and future weather

conditions.

b) Maintain email and telephonic contact with the SOC.

c) Monitor WebEOC for resource requests.

d) Coordinate assigned resource requests.

e) Maintain communication with Area Field Coordinators, School

Safety Coordinators and County EMAs for the geographic area(s)

potentially impacted; Consider to upgrade the SOC activation

level.

f) Consider to initiate Wireless Emergency Alerts.

g) Consider to request a Presidential Disaster Declaration.

h) Consider to request direct federal assistance.

i) Send the awareness statement by email to GEMA/HS staff, ESF

partners, EMA directors, and school superintendents, with relaying

information from the NWS concerning the forecasted severe

weather situation.

j) Review emergency supply inventory and test equipment and

systems.

k) Review pre-scripted notification messages for severe weather and

check contacts and specifications in order to ready the notification

system.

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F) High (HIGH):

1. High Risk – An area where a severe weather outbreak is expected from

either numerous intense and long-tracked tornadoes or a long-lived derecho

thunderstorm complex that produces hurricane-force winds and widespread

damage. This risk is reserved for when high confidence exists in widespread

coverage of severe weather with embedded instances of extreme severe

weather (i.e., violent tornadoes or very damaging convective wind events).

2. Impacts expected: Tornado outbreak; Derecho – a widespread, long-lived

wind storm associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or

thunderstorms.

3. Actions:

a) ESFs are fully staffed in SOC.

b) 12-hour shifts are implemented for 24-hour operations.

c) Monitor WebEOC for resource requests.

d) Coordinate assigned resource requests.

e) Maintain communication with Area Field Coordinators, School

Safety Coordinators and County EMAs for the geographic area(s)

potentially impacted.

f) Send the awareness statement by email to GEMA/HS staff, ESF

partners, EMA Directors, and School Superintendents, with

relaying information from the NWS concerning the forecasted

severe weather situation.

g) Review emergency supply inventory and test equipment and

systems.

h) Review pre-scripted notification messages for severe weather and

check contacts and specifications in order to ready the notification

system.

4.2 Coordination

A) State Coordination

1. GEMA/HS operates the SOC according to principles established by the

National Response Framework and the National Incident Command System.

2. The SOC follows the objectives provided by the Governor, the GEMA/HS

Director, and the Emergency Operations Command (EOC). The Director of

GEMA/HS activates the EOC as needed and initiates a regular 8 AM / 2 PM /

8 PM schedule coordination calls.

3. Prior to the onset of weather related impacts, GEMA/HS may initiate an

elevated activation of the SOC. Upon quantification of impacts through

situational awareness updates and Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDA),

the SOC Event Manager or designee may decide to request additional ESFs

to support state‐level response, or may initiate a full activation of the SOC.

4. The state will coordinate the deployment of aerial reconnaissance to further

augment the PDA process. Should significant and overwhelming impacts be

observed, GEMA/HS may request that the Governor of Georgia issue a State

of Emergency for impacted counties.

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5. Requests for state‐level resources will be made by the local EMA Director to

the SOC. All available response capabilities within the state or from

neighboring states via EMAC may be made available for response operations

and integrated into the response effort.

B) Local Coordination

1. GEMA/HS uses the Emergency Management Network (EMnet) to alert local

EMA Directors to emergency situations. EMnet has been fielded in most of

the County and Regional 911 Centers throughout Georgia. In addition, the

EMnet system is Georgia’s access into FEMA’s Integrated Public Alerting and

Warning System. More information can be found in the Georgia Emergency

Alert System Plan.

2. Each county EMA director has access to GEMA/HS’s WebEOC system for

internal use in their own county as well as for communicating Requests for

Assistance (RFAs) and situational awareness to the SOC. Counties can also

call in RFAs and situational updates through the State Warning Point.

3. County conference calls will be coordinated between the SOC and the

affected counties. The purpose of this call is to provide direct support to the

local EMAs and provide them with an opportunity to raise major issues that

the state may be able to resolve. All SOC Command and General Staff and a

representative from each ESF will be present at this call to provide direct

feedback to impacted counties upon request.

C) Federal Coordination

1. Because severe weather has the potential to produce widespread damage,

the Governor of Georgia, with the assistance of GEMA/HS, may submit a

request for a Presidential Emergency or Major Disaster Declaration. More

detailed and specific information regarding Federal response is outlined in the

NRF and the GEOP.

D) Volunteer Organizations

1. Volunteer organizations play a critical role in fulfilling requests for goods and

services, when locals and the state are overwhelmed after a disaster. During

a disaster, Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOADs), which

includes non-profit and faith-based volunteer organizations, can contact the

GEMA/HS Volunteer Coordinator, who works with local EMA Directors to

pinpoint community needs that the volunteers can help with. The GEMA/HS

Volunteer Coordinator may also alert volunteer organizations of anticipated

needs prior to the event to allow for preparation time.

E) Private Sector Entities

1. Private-sector partners are an integral component of a comprehensive

disaster response effort. In order to facilitate coordination between the SOC

and private sector partners, GEMA/HS is developing the Business Coalition

Initiative. The private sector liaison will work with a Georgia Department of

Economic Development partner to work with private sector organizations

around the state to get businesses back up and running after the occurrence

of a disaster. WebEOC will also be used as a means of communication

amongst the organizations. This contact will be ensuring the seamless

integration of private-sector response capabilities during a disaster – a critical

component of the catastrophic response strategy.

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4.3 Roles and Responsibilities: Emergency Support Functions (ESF)

A) The GEOP establishes the general responsibilities for each ESF, and the actions of

agencies, groups, organizations, and/or Non-Governmental Organizations within

their ESF, and between other ESFs.

B) For the Severe Weather Incident Annex, all ESFs have to be in constant

communication with the SOC and other ESF partners to coordinate the

preparedness activities and response effort if necessary. A detailed list of each ESF

actions per Risk Category is in Section 7.6 Appendix F. Also for general

responsibilities, see the GEOP or the ESF annexes.

4.4 Logistics

A) GEMA/HS does not warehouse/stockpile disaster response materials and thus does

not have resources immediately at its disposal for distribution. GEMA/HS, in close

coordination with the Department of Administrative Services (DOAS), maintains

sources of supply through the state contracting process. These contracts normally

have lead times and are best used when support necessary is in large volume and

over an extended period of time.

B) The most responsive source of supply in most severe weather situations is often the

local economy from the closest sources not impacted. An immediate assessment of

the status of local sources of supply should be conducted. Every effort should be

made to resource response needs from a local source.

C) Counties are authorized to use contracts that GEMA/HS has in place and are

provided the same terms as would be given to GEMA/HS and DOAS. Purchasing

policies vary from county to county but purchasing locally using state contracts

should be considered as an option for supply. ESF-7/DOAS personnel can assist

counties in using this option.

D) Is something supposed to go here?

E) When the devastation or need is such that local supply cannot provide the necessary

resources ESF-7 will arrange to provide assistance. Commodities will normally be

provided by truckload and distribution made through the Points of Distribution (POD)

method. Procedures for this type of operation are found on the GEMA/HS website by

going to the “Logistics” tab under “Response.”

F) ESF-7 is also prepared to handle other special requests on a case-by-case basis.

4.5 Crisis Communications/Media Relations

A) During disasters it is crucial to ensure effective coordination of public information.

ESF 15 – External Affairs coordinates public information sharing and media relations

during disaster operations. ESF 15 facilitates the provision and synchronization of

public information across a broad spectrum of response entities, the media, and the

public.

B) ESF 15 uses WebEOC to share finalized documents to ESF partners and local

EMAs.

C) Additional information on crisis communications or media relations during

emergencies and disasters may be obtained in the GEOP: Crisis Communications

Policy (2012).

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5.0 Plan Development and Maintenance

This incident annex will be reviewed every four years and updated as required. In addition, the

guides shall be evaluated for recommended revisions and corrective measures as an integral

part of the agency exercise or event after action reports / improvement plans, as well as internal

reviews that will follow the issuance of any Governor’s Executive Order or passage of legislation

impacting the agency.

6.0 References

6.1 Federal

A) Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG) 101: Developing and Maintaining State,

Territorial, Tribal, and Local Government Emergency Plans, March 2009.

B) National Incident Management System (NIMS), December 2008.

C) National Response Framework, Federal Emergency Management Agency, January

2008.

6.2 State

A) Georgia Emergency Operations Plan (2013 – Updated January 2015)

B) 2014 State of Georgia Hazard Mitigation Strategy

C) GEOP: Crisis Communication Policy (2012)

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7.0 Attachments

7.1 Appendix A: Acronyms

CONOPS – Concept of Operations

CPG – Comprehensive Planning Guide

DOAS – Department of Administrative Services

EAS – Emergency Alert System

EF – Enhanced Fujita Scale

EMA – Emergency Management Agency

EMnet – Emergency Management Network

ESF – Emergency Support Function

FEMA – Federal Emergency Management Agency

GEMA/HS – Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency

GEOP – Georgia Emergency Operations Plan

ICS – Incident Command System

JIC – Joint Information Center

NIMS – National Incident Management System

NOAA – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NRF – National Response Framework

NWS – National Weather Service

PDA – Preliminary Damage Assessments

PIO – Public Information Officer

POD – Points of Distribution

RFA – Request of Assistance

SAME – Specific Area Message Encoding

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SHELDUS – Spatial Hazard Events and Losses Database for the United States

SOC – State Operations Center

SPC – Storm Prediction Center

7.2 Appendix B: Annual Preparedness programs

A) NWS StormReady Program

1. StormReady is a nationwide community preparedness program that uses a grassroots approach to help

communities develop plans to handle all types of severe weather—from tornadoes to tsunamis. The program

encourages communities to take a new, proactive approach to improving local hazardous weather operations by

providing emergency managers with clear-cut guidelines on how to improve their hazardous weather operations.

2. To be officially StormReady, a community must:

a) Establish a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center;

b) Have more than one way to receive severe weather warnings and forecasts and to alert the public;

c) Create a system that monitors weather conditions locally;

d) Promote the importance of public readiness through community seminars;

e) Develop a formal hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe weather spotters and holding

emergency exercises.

B) NOAA Weather Radio

1. NOAA Weather Radio is a nationwide initiative that aims to broadcast hazardous conditions to the public via a

NWS Weather Radio. Information pertaining to hazardous watches, warnings, forecasts, and other hazard

information is broadcast directly from the NWS forecast offices and operates 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

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2. Most NOAA Weather Radios are equipped with Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) technology. This SAME

technology ensures that citizens receive information that only applies to the area in which they live. These

information broadcasts are a significant enhancement to watch and warning order dissemination.

3. In Georgia, 23 transmitters disseminate NWS information for NOAA Weather Radio. Approximately 98% of

Georgia’s population is capable of receiving this information.

C) Emergency Alert System (EAS)

1. The EAS was created by the Federal Communication Commission in 1994 and replaced the Emergency

Broadcast System. The EAS has the capability to disseminate information regarding emergencies over AM/FM

radio, broadcast, Cable, and Satellite television.

2. The purpose of the EAS is to allow Local, State, and Federal entities the ability to provide information on

emergencies – local or national – to the public. This information is disseminated automatically to thousands of

network providers.

This system interfaces with NOAA Weather Radio and EMnet.

3. EMnet is an internet and satellite‐based communications network that serves as the EAS backbone in Georgia.

GEMA/HS utilizes EMnet to interrupt radio and television broadcasting with certain categories of emergency

messages. EMnet can be locally configured to distribute these alerts to key personnel throughout various agencies

and jurisdictions all over the state. GEMA/HS and County EMAs may also utilize EMnet to transmit Wireless

Emergency Messages (WEA) to the public.

4. EMnet also serves emergency management communities in South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland,

Delaware, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia. Federal entities served by EMnet

include: FEMA, CSX Railroads, Amtrak, and multiple NWS forecast offices and operational facilities.

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D) Severe Weather Preparedness Week

1. Severe Weather Preparedness Week is a nationwide NWS initiative that is aimed at raising the citizen’s

awareness of severe weather threats. This week, generally occurring every first full week in February in Georgia,

addresses preparedness issues associated with severe weather. Each day covers a different topic addressing

preparedness including: Family preparedness, NOAA Weather Radio, thunderstorm preparedness, lightning

safety, tornado safety, flooding, and the statewide tornado drill, which is a large component of the observance.

2. GEMA/HS provides information to the public concerning severe weather awareness via the GEMA/HS website and

through press releases. Media outlets provide information to the public through TV and radio based endorsements

and informational segments on the local news. The NWS provides media outlets with information regarding severe

weather threats as well as conducts public presentations.

E) Ready Georgia

1. Ready Georgia is a statewide campaign designed to educate and empower Georgians to prepare for and respond

to natural disasters, pandemic outbreaks, potential terrorist attacks and other large-scale emergencies. To help

Georgians prepare for severe weather, Ready Georgia offers resources and information residents can use to

create an emergency supply kit, develop a communications plan and stay informed about potential threats. An

interactive website provides detailed information on Georgia-specific emergency preparedness and allows users to

create a personal profile and receive a customized checklist and family communications plan. Appendix C: Severe

Thunderstorm Risk Categories

Severe Weather Incident Annex Georgia Emergency Operations Plan

Severe Weather Incident Annex Page xv

Severe Weather Incident Annex Georgia Emergency Operations Plan

Severe Weather Incident Annex Page xvi

7.3 APPENDIX D: NWS SEVERE WEATHER PRODUCT DEFINITIONS

Severe Weather Incident Annex Georgia Emergency Operations Plan

Severe Weather Incident Annex Page xvii

7.4 APPENDIX E: ENHANCED FUJITA SCALE FOR TORNADO DAMAGE

The Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale, which became operational on February 1, 2007, is used to

assign a tornado a 'rating' based on estimated wind speeds and related damage. When

tornado-related damage is surveyed, it is compared to a list of damage indicators (DIs) and

degrees of damage (DoD) which help estimate better the range of wind speeds the tornado

likely produced. From that, a rating (from EF0 to EF5) is assigned.

The EF Scale was revised from the original Fujita Scale to reflect better examinations of

tornado damage surveys so as to align wind speeds more closely with associated storm

damage. The new scale has to do with how most structures are designed.

EF SCALE

EF Rating

3 Second Gust (mph)

65-85

86-110

111-135

136-165

166-200

Over 200

*** IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT EF SCALE WINDS: The EF scale still is a set of wind

estimates (not measurements) based on damage. Its uses three-second gusts

estimated at the point of damage based on a judgment of 8 levels of damage to the

28 indicators listed below. These estimates vary with height and exposure.

Important: The 3 second gust is not the same wind as in standard surface

observations. Standard measurements are taken by weather stations in open

exposures, using a directly measured, "one minute mile" speed.

Assigning a Tornado Rating Using the EF Scale

The NWS is the only federal agency with authority to provide 'official' tornado EF Scale

ratings. The goal is assign an EF Scale category based on the highest wind speed that

occurred within the damage path. First, trained NWS personnel will identify the appropriate

damage indicator (DI) [see list on the next page] for more than one of the 28 used in rating

the damage. The construction or description of a building should match the DI being

considered, and the observed damage should match one of the 8 degrees of damage (DoD)

used by the scale. The tornado evaluator will then make a judgment within the range of

upper and lower bound wind speeds, as to whether the wind speed to cause the damage is

higher or lower than the expected value for the particular DoD. This is done for several

structures, not just one, before a final EF rating is determined.

Enhanced Fujita Scale Damage Indicators

NUMBER

(Details Linked)

DAMAGE INDICATOR

ABBREVIATION

Small barns, farm outbuildings

SBO

Severe Weather Incident Annex Georgia Emergency Operations Plan

Severe Weather Incident Annex Page xviii

One- or two-family residences

FR12

Single-wide mobile home (MHSW)

MHSW

Double-wide mobile home

MHDW

Apartment, condo, townhouse (3 stories or less)

ACT

Motel

Masonry apartment or Motel

MAM

Small retail bldg. (fast food)

SRB

Small professional (doctor office, branch bank)

SPB

Strip mall

Large shopping mall

LSM

Large, isolated ("big box") retail bldg.

LIRB

Automobile showroom

ASR

Automotive service building

ASB

School: 1-story Elementary (interior or exterior

halls)

School – Junior or Senior High School

JHSH

Low-rise (1-4 story) bldg.

LRB

Mid-rise (5-20 story) bldg.

MRB

High-rise (over 20 stories)

HRB

Institutional building. (hospital, govt. or

university)

Metal building system

MBS

Service station canopy

SSC

Warehouse (tilt-up walls or heavy timber)

WHB

Transmission line tower

TLT

Free-standing tower

FST

Free standing pole (light, flag, luminary)

FSP

Tree - hardwood

Tree - softwood

Severe Weather Incident Annex Georgia Emergency Operations Plan

Severe Weather Incident Annex Page xix

7.5 SEVERE THUNDERSTORMSTATE SYNCHRONIZATION MATRIX

THUNDERSTORMS (no label)

1 - MARGINAL (MRGL) RISK

2 - SLIGHT (SLGT) RISK

3 - ENHANCED (ENH) RISK

4 - MODERATE (MDT) RISK

5 - HIGH (HIGH) RISK

Forecast Event

No Severe Weather is

Expected

Isolated Severe Weather is

Possible

Scattered Severe Storms are

Possible

Numerous Severe Storms are

Possible

Widespread Severe Storms

are Likely

Widespread Severe Storms

are Expected

Expected Impacts:

Lightning/flooding threats exist

with all thunderstorms.

Winds to 40 mph; small hail

Severe Weather will be limited in

duration and/or coverage

and/or intensity. Winds 40 -

60 mph; hail up to 1"; low

tornado risk

Severe Weather is anticipated to

be short-lived and/or not

widespread; isolated intense

storms are possible. One to

two tornadoes; reports of

strong winds/wind damage;

hail ~1"; isolated 2"

Severe Weather is expected to

be more persistent and/or

widespread; a few storms

may be intense. A few

tornadoes; several reports of

wind damage; damaging hail,

1" - 2"

Severe Weather is expected to

be long-lived; storms will be

widespread and intense.

Strong tornadoes;

widespread wind damage;

destructive hail, 2"+

Severe Weather will be long-

lived; storms will be very

widespread and particularly

intense. Tornado outbreak;

Derecho (a widespread,

long-lived, straight-line wind

storm that is associated with

a land-based, fast-moving

group of severe

thunderstorms. Derechos

can cause hurricane force

winds, tornadoes, heavy

rains, and flash floods)

ALL

 Continue day-to-day

activities

 Maintain situational

awareness of current weather

conditions

 Maintain email and

telephonic contact with SOC

 Coordinate assigned

resource requests

 Maintain situational

awareness of current weather

conditions

 Maintain email and telephonic

contact with SOC

 Coordinate assigned

resource requests

 Maintain situational

awareness of current weather

conditions

 Maintain email and telephonic

contact with SOC

 Monitor WebEOC for

resource requests

 Coordinate assigned

resource requests

 Report to SOC

 ESFs are fully staffed in SOC

 12-hour shifts are

implemented for 24-hour

operations

 Monitor WebEOC for

resource requests

 Coordinate assigned

resource requests

 Report to SOC

 ESFs are fully staffed in SOC

12-hour shifts are

implemented for 24-hour

operations

 Monitor WebEOC for

resource requestsCoordinate

assigned resource requests

ISSUES &

CONSIDERATIO

 Are special events scheduled

for the geographic area(s)

potentially impacted?

 Are special events scheduled

for the geographic area(s)

potentially impacted?

 Are special events scheduled

for the geographic area(s)

potentially impacted?

 Are special events scheduled

for the geographic area(s)

potentially impacted?

 Is Severe Weather

anticipated to affect major

metropolitan areas during

normal business hours?

 Is Severe Weather

anticipated to affect

transportation hubs?

 Are special events scheduled

for the geographic area(s)

potentially impacted?

 Is Severe Weather

anticipated to affect major

metropolitan areas during

normal business hours?

 Is Severe Weather

anticipated to affect

transportation hubs?

 Are special events scheduled

for the geographic area(s)

potentially impacted?

 Is Severe Weather

anticipated to affect major

metropolitan areas during

normal business hours?

 Is Severe Weather

anticipated to affect

transportation hubs?

Severe Weather Incident Annex Georgia Emergency Operations Plan

Severe Weather Incident Annex Page xx

THUNDERSTORMS (no label)

1 - MARGINAL (MRGL) RISK

2 - SLIGHT (SLGT) RISK

3 - ENHANCED (ENH) RISK

4 - MODERATE (MDT) RISK

5 - HIGH (HIGH) RISK

GEMA/HS

Meteorologist

 Continue day-to-day

activities: monitor weather

models, NOAA products,

local broadcast

meteorologists’ forecasts,

radar trends, etc.

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Determine what course of

action should be taken in

consultation with the

management staff

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Determine what course of

action should be taken in

consultation with the

management staff

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Determine what course of

action should be taken in

consultation with the

management staff, including:

 Meet with the GEMA/HS

Director and Deputy

Directors;

 Consult the Weather

Advisory Group (WAG);

 Notify EMA Directors by

Area Field Coordinators,

School Safety

Coordinators, GEMA/HS

staff, and GEMA/HS

weather distribution list;

 Meet with Public Affairs

Officer (PAO) to construct

proper messaging

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Determine what course of

action should be taken in

consultation with the

management staff, including:

 Communicate with

GEMA/HS Director,

Deputy Directors, Division

Directors, and certain ESF

partners;

 Consult the Weather

Advisory Group;

 Notify EMA Directors by

Areafield coordinators,

school safety coordinators,

GEMA/HS Staff and

GEMA/HS distribution list;

 Meet with GEMA/HS

Public Affairs Officer

(PAO) to construct proper

messaging

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Determine what course of

action should be taken in

consultation with the

management staff, including:

 Meet with GEMA/HS Director

and Deputy Directors and

certain ESF partners.

 Notify EMA directors by Area

Field Coordinators, School

Safety Coordinators,

GEMA/HS staff, and

GEMA/HS weather distribution

list

 Maintain communication with

key partners

 Meet with GEMA/HS PAO to

construct proper messaging

 Consult the Weather Advisory

Group

GEMA/HS State

Warning Point

 Day-to-day activities

 Maintain situational

awareness of weather in

Georgia

 Monitor SWP GIS Portal

 Monitor Weather Bug

website

 Monitor NWS Chat

 Monitor Open Source

Media

 Disseminate incident and

damage reports resulting

from weather events

 Day-to-day activities

 Maintain situational

awareness of weather in

Georgia

 Monitor SWP GIS Portal

 Monitor Weather Bug

website

 Monitor NWS Chat

 Monitor Open Source Media

 Disseminate incident and

damage reports resulting

from weather events

 Day-to-day activities

 Maintain situational

awareness of weather in

Georgia

 Monitor SWP GIS Portal

 Monitor Weather Bug

website

 Monitor NWS Chat

 Monitor Open Source

Media

 Disseminate incident and

damage reports resulting

from weather events

 Day-to-day Activities

 Maintain situational

awareness of weather in SE

U.S.

 Track weather systems

approaching Georgia

 Report adjacent state

weather impacts resulting

from approaching weather

system

 Report impacts of weather

systems within Georgia

 Maintain communications

with FEMA Region IV Watch

Office

 Day-to-day activities

 Maintain situational

awareness of weather in SE

U.S.

 Track weather systems

approaching Georgia

 Report adjacent state

weather impacts resulting

from approaching weather

system

 Report impacts of weather

systems within Georgia

 Maintain communications

with FEMA Region IV Watch

Office

 Day-to-day activities

 Maintain situational

awareness of weather in SE

U.S

 Track weather systems

approaching Georgia

 Report adjacent state

weather impacts eesulting

from approaching weather

system

 Report impacts of weather

systems within Georgia

 Maintain communications

with FEMA Region IV Watch

Office

Severe Weather Incident Annex Georgia Emergency Operations Plan

Severe Weather Incident Annex Page xxi

THUNDERSTORMS (no label)

1 - MARGINAL (MRGL) RISK

2 - SLIGHT (SLGT) RISK

3 - ENHANCED (ENH) RISK

4 - MODERATE (MDT) RISK

5 - HIGH (HIGH) RISK

GEMA/HS

Field Operations

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Maintain situational

awareness of current and

future conditions

 Maintain email and phone

communication with the SOC

and local EMAs

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Maintain situational

awareness of current and

future conditions by actively

monitoring news and weather

sources.

 School Safety Coordinator

will ensure that school

systems are aware of the

threat level and remind the

school systems to monitor

NOAA Weather Radio and

news media

 Maintain email and phone

communication with the SOC

 Field Coordinators will

contact the EMA in those

jurisdictions threatened by an

approaching storm for any

needs

 Review and evaluate and

submit damage reports to the

SWP

 Conduct follow-up calls to

those jurisdictions impacted

by a storm to ascertain needs

or damage reports

 Continue day-to-day

activities

 Maintain situational

awareness of current and

future conditions by actively

monitoring news and weather

sources

 School Safety Coordinator

will ensure that school

systems are aware of the

threat level and remind the

school systems to monitor

NOAA Weather Radio and

news media

 Maintain email and phone

communication with the SOC

 Field Coordinators will

contact the EMA in those

jurisdictions threatened by an

approaching storm for any

needs.

 Review and evaluate and

submit damage reports to the

SWP

 Conduct follow-up calls to

those jurisdictions impacted

by a storm to ascertain needs

or damage reports

 Be prepared to be deployed

to the affected area

 Maintain situational

awareness of current and

future conditions by actively

monitoring news and weather

sources

 School Safety Coordinator

will ensurethat school

systems are aware of the

threat level and remind the

school systems to monitor

NOAA Weather Radio and

news media

 Maintain email and phone

communication with the SOC

 Field Coordinators will

contact the EMA in those

jurisdictions threatened by an

approaching storm for any

needs

 Review and evaluate and

submit damage reports to the

SWP

 Conduct follow-up calls to

those jurisdictions impacted

by a storm to ascertain needs

or damage reports

 Be prepared to be deployed

to the affected areas

 Maintain situational

awareness of current and

future conditions by actively

monitoring news and weather

sources

 School Safety Coordinator

will ensure that school

systems are aware of the

threat level and remind the

school systems to monitor

NOAA Weather Radio and

news media

 Maintain email and phone

communication with the SOC

 Field Coordinators will

contact the EMA in those

jurisdictions threatened by an

approaching storm for any

needs

 Review and evaluate and

submit damage reports to the

SWP

 Conduct follow-up calls to

those jurisdictions impacted

by a storm to ascertain needs

or damage reports

 Be prepared to be deployed

to the affected areas

Severe Weather Incident Annex Georgia Emergency Operations Plan

Severe Weather Incident Annex Page xxii

THUNDERSTORMS (no label)

1 - MARGINAL (MRGL) RISK

2 - SLIGHT (SLGT) RISK

3 - ENHANCED (ENH) RISK

4 - MODERATE (MDT) RISK

5 - HIGH (HIGH) RISK

GEMA/HS

Planning

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Maintain situational

awareness of current and

future weather conditions

 Maintain email and phone

communication with the SOC

and GEMA/HS meteorologist

 Create maps, if necessary

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Maintain situational

awareness of current and

future weather conditions

 Maintain email and phone

communication with the SOC

and GEMA/HS meteorologist

 Create maps, if necessary

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Maintain situational

awareness of current and

future weather conditions

 Maintain email and phone

communication with the SOC

and GEMA/HS meteorologist

 Create maps with the

possible affected areas (using

NWS shp. files)

 Monitor WebEOC for

resource requests

 Develop staffing roster for

SOC activation

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Maintain situational

awareness of current and

future weather conditions

 Maintain email and phone

communication with the SOC

and GEMA/HS meteorologist

 Create maps with the

possible affected areas (using

NWS shp. files)

 Monitor WebEOC for

resource requests

 Develop a staffing roster for

SOC activation

 Facilitate planning meetings

 Develop Incident Action Plan

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Maintain situational

awareness of current and

future weather conditions

 Maintain email and phone

communication with the SOC

and GEMA/HS meteorologist

 Create maps with the

possible affected areas (using

NWS shp. files)

 Monitor WebEOC for

resource requests

 Develop a staffing roster for

SOC activation

 Facilitate planning meetings

 Develop Incident Action Plan

GEMA/HS Finance

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Develop a staffing roster for

SOC activation

 Be prepared to provide

support to ESF 7

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Develop a staffing roster for

SOC activation

 Be prepared to provide

support to ESF 7

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Develop a staffing roster for

SOC activation

 Be prepared to provide

support to ESF 7

ESF 1

Transportation

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Continue day-to-day

activities

 Continue day-to-day

activities

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation

Severe Weather Incident Annex Georgia Emergency Operations Plan

Severe Weather Incident Annex Page xxiii

THUNDERSTORMS (no label)

1 - MARGINAL (MRGL) RISK

2 - SLIGHT (SLGT) RISK

3 - ENHANCED (ENH) RISK

4 - MODERATE (MDT) RISK

5 - HIGH (HIGH) RISK

ESF 2

Communicatio

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Continue planning activities

 Continue equipment

maintenance

 Identify communications

resources to support potential

resource requests and post-

disaster operations

 Preparatory actions to ensure

all available disaster

response communications

equipment is prepared for

deployment

 Identify communications

resources to support potential

resource requests and post-

disaster operations

 Monitor communications

infrastructure and provide

information updates to SOC

 Begin restoration efforts

 Maintain communication with

all industry partners and state

and federal agency team

members regarding the SOC

activation level

 Increase frequency of ESF 2

cross talk and

input/monitoring of WebEOC

 Prepare communications

equipment for deployment

 Finalize the recall of any

communications equipment

that may have been in

maintenance or on loan.

 Collect communications input

from responder state

agencies

 Identify and possibly deploy

communications resources to

support requesting EMA

and/or state-level operational

response

 Monitor water quality

 Begin restoration efforts

 Actively collect

communications input from

responder state agencies

 Finalize and distribute the

ICS Form 205 (Incident Radio

Communications Plan) to all

responding agencies, as

required)

 Continue email updates to

the ESF 2 team to gain

situational update and to

provide a common

operational picture

 Finalize the recall of any

communications equipment

that may have been in

maintenance or on loan

 Prepare to conduct Wireless

Emergency Alerts

 Identify and deploy

communications resources to

support requesting EMA

and/or state-level operational

response

 Monitor communications

infrastructure and provide

information updates to SOC

 Frequent dialog with telecom

and wireless providers identify

all known communications

issues

 Continue email/conference

call updates to ESF 2 team

provide situational updates

 Send out weather alerts direct

the general population to the

appropriate messaging

available on governmental

and media platforms in the

affected geographic areas

 Identify and deploy

communications resources to

support requesting EMA

and/or state-level operational

response

 Monitor communications

infrastructure and provide

information updates to SOC

 Frequent dialog with telecom

and wireless providers

identify all known

communications issues

 Continue day-to-day activities

 ESF 2 team provide

situational updates

 Consider to activate the

Wireless Emergency Alerts

direct the general population

to the appropriate messaging

available on governmental

and media platforms in the

affected geographic areas

Severe Weather Incident Annex Georgia Emergency Operations Plan

Severe Weather Incident Annex Page xxiv

THUNDERSTORMS (no label)

1 - MARGINAL (MRGL) RISK

2 - SLIGHT (SLGT) RISK

3 - ENHANCED (ENH) RISK

4 - MODERATE (MDT) RISK

5 - HIGH (HIGH) RISK

ESF 3

Public Works and

Engineering

 Continue day-to-day

activities

 Continue planning activities

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Monitor water quality

 Continue planning activities

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Continue to monitor water

quality

 Continue planning activities

 Send out weather alerts and

notifications received from the

SOC regarding potential for

severe weather

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Continue to monitor water

quality

 Continue planning activities

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation

 Send out weather alerts and

notifications received from the

SOC regarding potential for

severe weather

 Prepare templates for Public

Notification Advisories

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Continue to monitor water

quality

 Continue planning activities

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation

 Send out weather alerts and

notifications received from the

SOC

 Alert our ESF 3 primary and

support agencies to continue

to monitor the weather and be

prepared to respond to

resource requests

 Notify our contacts for

drinking water and

wastewater facilities, and

advise them to inventory their

resources

 Reach out to our partner

agencies such as GRWA,

GAWP and GAWARN to be

on stand by for possible

assistance in damage

assessments and/or resource

requests

 Continue day-to-day

activities

 Continue to monitor water

quality

 Continue planning activities

 Develop ESF staff roster for

SOC activation

 Send out weather alerts and

notifications received from the

SOC

 Alert our ESF 3 primary and

support agencies to continue

to monitor the weather and be

prepared to respond to

resource requests

 Notify our contacts for

drinking water and

wastewater facilities, and

advise them to inventory their

resources

 Reach out to our partner

agencies such as GRWA,

GAWP and GAWARN to be

on stand by for possible

assistance in damage

assessments and/or resource

requests

 Identify all drinking water,

wastewater and dams in the

potentially impacted area

 Issue public advisories

(templates) for water systems

can use and distribute to their

customers with info on how to

boil their water, along with

contact info

Severe Weather Incident Annex Georgia Emergency Operations Plan

Severe Weather Incident Annex Page xxv

THUNDERSTORMS (no label)

1 - MARGINAL (MRGL) RISK

2 - SLIGHT (SLGT) RISK

3 - ENHANCED (ENH) RISK

4 - MODERATE (MDT) RISK

5 - HIGH (HIGH) RISK

ESF 4

Firefighting

 Continue day-to-day

activities

 Continue planning activities

 Continue equipment

maintenance

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Monitor for any increase in

risk

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Send out weather alerts and

notifications received from the

SOC

 Direct assistance to counties

when requested

 Delete this bulletpoint

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation

 Monitor situation for

tornado/wind damage and

possible support

requirements

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation

 Activate the purchasing and

contracting portion of ESF-7

 Provide support to any

state/ESF response

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation

 ID potential staging areas for

response operations

 Determine if damage areas

might require POD operations

for life support items

 Consider tasking the NG to

operate direct distribution of

commodities if necessary

 Monitor the opening of any

shelter locations (non-Red

Cross) for possible support

requirements

 Provide support to the SOC

and other ESF partners

ESF 6

Mass Care,

Emergency

Assistance,

Housing, and

Human

Services

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Maintain situational

awareness

 Duty Officer actively

monitoring current weather

conditions

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Maintain situational

awareness

 Duty Officer actively

monitoring current weather

conditions

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation

 Maintain situational

awareness of current and

future weather conditions

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation

 Establish communication with

local EMAs in the potentially

impacted area

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation

 Maintain situational

awareness of current and

future weather conditions

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation

 Establish communication with

local EMAs in the potentially

impacted area

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation.

 Maintain situational

awareness of current and

future weather conditions

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation

 Establish communication with

local EMAs in the potentially

impacted area

Severe Weather Incident Annex Georgia Emergency Operations Plan

Severe Weather Incident Annex Page xxvi

THUNDERSTORMS (no label)

1 - MARGINAL (MRGL) RISK

2 - SLIGHT (SLGT) RISK

3 - ENHANCED (ENH) RISK

4 - MODERATE (MDT) RISK

5 - HIGH (HIGH) RISK

ESF 7

Logistics

Management

and Rescue

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Monitor for any increase in

tornado risk

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation

 Monitor situation for

tornado/wind damage and

possible support

requirements

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation

 Activate the purchasing and

contracting portion of ESF-7

 Monitor situation for power

outages, water system

failures and

homes/businesses damaged

 Alert vendors and consider

locating vendors (generators,

water & tarps) in the state

EOC for rapid response

 Provide support to any

State/ESF response

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation.

 ID potential staging areas for

response operations

 Determine if damage areas

might require POD operations

for life support items

 Consider tasking the NG to

operate direct distribution of

commodities if necessary

 Monitor the opening of any

shelter locations (non-Red

Cross) for possible support

requirements

ESF 8

Public Health and

Medical

Services

 2PT EOC Activation Level - 3

(GREEN) - Active Monitoring

 Duty Officer actively

monitoring current weather

conditions

 2PT EOC Activation Level - 3

(GREEN) - ACTIVE

MONITORING

 Duty Officer actively

monitoring current weather

conditions

 2PT EOC Activation Level - 3

(GREEN) - ACTIVE

MONITORING

 Duty Officer actively

monitoring current weather

conditions

 Alert District Public Health

offices and state emergency

preparedness staff to be

weather aware

 Create an incident in Public

Health's WebEOC to capture

any reports or requests for

assistance, and to maintain

situational awareness

 2PT EOC Activation Level –

2 (RED) – Enhanced

Monitoring

 Alert District Public Health

offices, Regional

Coordinating Hospitals, and

state emergency

preparedness staff

 Emergency Preparedness

Leadership conducts a

conference call with district

offices and state staff to

capture anticipated

actions/status

 Prepare to staff the SOC if

requested

 Create/fuse an incident.

 Review initial reports and

maintain situational

awareness

 Participate in any

NWS/GEMA/HS conference

calls. Review and evaluate

damage reports

 Coordinate resource requests

 2PT EOC Activation Level –

1 – Full Activation.

 Alert District Public Health

offices, Regional

Coordinating Hospitals, state

emergency preparedness

staff

 Emergency Preparedness

Leadership conducts a

conference call with district

offices and state staff to

capture anticipated

actions/status

 Activiate General and

Command staff to support

operations (virtual EOC)

 Prepare to staff the SOC if

requested

 Create/fuse an incident in

Public Health's WebEOC

with GEMA/HS's WebEOC

to capture any reports or

requests for assistance, and

to maintain situational

awareness

 Participate in

NWS/GEMA/HS conference

calls

 Review and evaluate

damage reports

 Coordinate resource

requests

 Alert District Public Health

offices, Regional

Coordinating Hospitals, and

state emergency

preparedness staff

 Emergency Preparedness

Leadership conducts a

conference call with district

offices and state staff to

capture anticipated

actions/status

 Activate General and

Command staff to support

operations (virtual EOC)

 Prepare to staff the SOC if

requested

 Create/fuse an incident in

Public Health's WebEOC

with GEMA/HS's WebEOC to

capture any reports or

requests for assistance, and

to maintain situational

awareness

 Participate in any

NWS/GEMA/HS conference

calls

 Review and evaluate

damage reports

 Coordinate resource

requests

Severe Weather Incident Annex Georgia Emergency Operations Plan

Severe Weather Incident Annex Page xxvii

THUNDERSTORMS (no label)

1 - MARGINAL (MRGL) RISK

2 - SLIGHT (SLGT) RISK

3 - ENHANCED (ENH) RISK

4 - MODERATE (MDT) RISK

5 - HIGH (HIGH) RISK

ESF 9

Search and

Rescue

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Maintain situational

awareness of current and

future weather conditions

 Delete this extra bullet

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Maintain situational

awareness of current and

future weather conditions

 Maintain communication with

the SOC

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation

 Maintain situational

awareness of current and

future weather conditions

 Maintain communication with

the SOC

 Establish communication with

Search and Rescue teams

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation

 Maintain situational

awareness of current and

future weather conditions

 Maintain communication with

the SOC

 Maintain communication with

Search and Rescue teams

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation

 Maintain situational

awareness of current and

future weather conditions

 Maintain communication with

the SOC

 Maintain communication with

Search and Rescue teams

ESF 10

Oil and Hazardous

Materials

Response

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Monitor weather conditions

 Delete extra bullet

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Monitor weather conditions

 Delete extra bullet

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation

 Maintain situational

awareness of current and

future weather conditions

 Assist the public on the

roadways and waterways.

Assist local Public Safety

agencies as requested

All ESF 13 support agencies will

ensure all personnel,

facilities, and equipment are

properly prepared for the

weather risk

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation

 Maintain situational

awareness of current and

future weather conditions

 Assist the public on the

roadways and waterways

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation

 Monitor weather conditions

Identify possible hazmat threats

in the potentially affected

areas

ESF 11

Agriculture

and

Natural

Resources

 Continue Day-to-Day

Activities.

 Continue Day-to-Day

Activities.

 Maintain situational

awareness of current and

future weather conditions.

 Continue Day-to-Day

Activities.

 Maintain situational

awareness of current and

future weather conditions.

 Continue Day-to-Day

Activities.

 Maintain situational

awareness of current and

future weather conditions.

 Identify

 Coordinate with ESF 6

possible sheltering support.

 Be prepared to coordinates

damages assessments if

needed.

 Be prepared to provide

technical assistance to public

Natural, Cultural and Historic

properties during damages

assessment and request for

assistance if needed.

 Continue Day-to-Day

Activities.

 Maintain situational

awareness of current and

future weather conditions.

 Coordinate with ESF 6

possible sheltering support.

 Be prepared to coordinates

damages assessments if

needed.

 Be prepared to provide

technical assistance to public

Natural, Cultural and Historic

properties during damages

assessment and request for

assistance if needed.

 Continue Day-to-Day

Activities.

 Maintain situational

awareness of current and

future weather conditions.

 Coordinate with ESF 6

possible sheltering support.

 Be prepared to coordinates

damages assessments if

needed.

 Be prepared to provide

technical assistance to public

Natural, Cultural and Historic

properties during damages

assessment and request for

assistance if needed.

Severe Weather Incident Annex Georgia Emergency Operations Plan

Severe Weather Incident Annex Page xxviii

THUNDERSTORMS (no label)

1 - MARGINAL (MRGL) RISK

2 - SLIGHT (SLGT) RISK

3 - ENHANCED (ENH) RISK

4 - MODERATE (MDT) RISK

5 - HIGH (HIGH) RISK

ESF 12

Energy

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation

ESF 13

Public Safety and

Security

 Continue day-to-day activities

Bullet point needed here Monitor

weather conditions and

report any severe weather or

damage.

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Monitor weather conditions

and report any severe

weather or damage

 Assist the public on the

roadways and waterways

Bullet point Assist local Public

Safety agencies as

requested

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation

 Maintain communications

between ESF 13 partner

agencies

 Monitor weather conditions

and report any severe

weather or damage

 Assist the public on the

roadways and waterways

Bullet point needed Assist

local Public Safety agencies

as requested

Bullet point All ESF 13 support

agencies will ensure all

personnel, facilities, and

equipment are properly

prepared for the weather risk

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Develop ESF S=staffing

roster for SOC activation

Maintain situational awareness

of weather by monitoring

Twitter feeds/Facebook

pages of NWS offices, local

Public Safety agencies as

requested

 ESF 13 primary and support

agencies will ensure all

personnel, facilities, and

equipment are properly

prepared for the weather risk

Notify critical personnel to

prepare for extended shifts

and emergency responses.

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation

 Monitor weather conditions

and report any severe

weather or damage

 Assist the public on the

roadways and waterways

 Assist local Public Safety

agencies as requested

 ESF 13 primary and support

agencies will ensure all

personnel, facilities, and

equipment are properly

prepared for the weather risk

 Prepare for the possible

evacuation of Corrections

Facilities near the potentially

affected areas

 Notify critical work force

personnel to prepare for

1. Extended shifts,

2. Potential deployment to top of

the state, and 3. Coordinated

emergency responses.

Severe Weather Incident Annex Georgia Emergency Operations Plan

Severe Weather Incident Annex Page xxix

THUNDERSTORMS (no label)

1 - MARGINAL (MRGL) RISK

2 - SLIGHT (SLGT) RISK

3 - ENHANCED (ENH) RISK

4 - MODERATE (MDT) RISK

5 - HIGH (HIGH) RISK

ESF 14

Long-Term

Community

Recovery

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation

ESF 15

External Affairs

 Continue day-to-day activities

 Continue planning activities

 Continue equipment

maintenance

Social Media: Maintain situational

awareness of weather by

monitoring Twitter

feeds/Facebook pages of NWS

offices, local meteorologists,

#gawx

Website

Continue monitoring day-to-day

activities. No changes to the

website. Homepage reflects

the most notable weather

conditions for that time of the

year

(Could this last section be

broken down into bullets?) –

Same message applies to

the next two boxes.

 Continue day-to-day activities

Social media: Maintain situational

awareness of weather by

monitoring Twitter

feeds/Facebook pages of NWS

offices, local meteorologists,

#gawx

 Retweet relevant NWS

updates;

 Tweet messages to stay

weather-aware;

 Share unified NWS risk

map on Facebook/Twitter

along with safety tips.

Website: Continue monitoring

day-to-day activities. No

changes to the website.

Homepage reflects the most

notable weather conditions

for that time of year

 Continue day-to-day activities

Social media: Maintain situational

awareness of weather by

monitoring Twitter

feeds/Facebook pages of NWS

offices, local meteorologists,

#gawx:

 Retweet relevant NWS

updates;

 Tweet messages about

expected impacts, stay

weather-aware,

download Ready Georgia

app, preparedness

messages driving people

to Ready Georgia,

difference between watch

and warning;

 Share unified NWS risk

map on Facebook/Twitter

along with safety tips

Website: Continue monitoring

day-to-day activities. No

changes to the website.

Homepage reflects the most

notable weather conditions

for that time of year

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation

 Coordinate with GEMA/HS

meteorologist, Operations,

and Leadership on

messaging

Social media: Maintain

situational awareness of

weather by monitoring

Twitter feeds/Facebook

pages of NWS offices, local

meteorologists, #gawx:

 Retweet relevant NWS,

partner updates;

 Tweet messages

(expected impacts,

staying weather-aware)

 Share appropriate

infographic on Twitter

and Facebook;

 Share unified NWS risk

map on Facebook/Twitter

along with safety tips as

new information

becomes available;

 Pin most important

information to top of

social media pages

Website: Continue monitoring

day-to-day activities.

Through coordination with

GEMA/HS meteorologist and

Operations, the Homepage

may reflect the enhanced

risk with addition of

appropriate map and links to

NWS products

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation

 Coordinate with GEMA/HS

meteorologist, Operations

and Leadership on

messaging

Social media: Maintain

situational awareness of

weather by monitoring

Twitter feeds/Facebook

pages of NWS offices, local

meteorologists, #gawx, and

agency partners:

 Retweet relevant NWS, partner

updates;

 Tweet messages (expected

impacts, staying weather-

aware )

 Share appropriate infographic

on Twitter and Facebook;

 Share unified NWS risk map

on Facebook/Twitter along with

safety tips as new information

becomes available;

 Pin most important information

to top of social media pages.

Website: Continue monitoring

day-to-day activities.

Through coordination with

GEMA/HS meteorologist

Operations and Leadership,

News Conference: Coordinate

with the Governor’s Office,

GA DOAS, and GEMA/HS

Finance to ensure a certified

American Sign Language

Interpreter will be on hand if

the Governor holds a news

conference

 Develop ESF staffing roster

for SOC activation

 Coordinate with GEMA/HS

meteorologist, Operations,

and Leadership on

messaging

Social media: Maintain

situational awareness

monitoring Twitter feeds

/Facebook pages of NWS

offices, local meteorologists,

#gawx, and agency partners:

 Tweet hourly messages about

expected impacts, staying

weather-aware/downloading

Ready Georgia app with

specific preparedness

message driving people to

Ready Georgia;

 Share unified NWS risk map

on Facebook/Twitter along with

safety tips as new information

becomes available;

 Send Twitter alert using the

following format: <Name of

NWS product> from <time>

<location> (link to full message

on NWS website);

 May send push notification to

Ready Georgia app users

Website: GEMA/HS homepage

will convert to the State’s

emergency response page,

reflecting weather risks and

impacts

THUNDERSTORMS (no label)

1 - MARGINAL (MRGL) RISK

2 - SLIGHT (SLGT) RISK

3 - ENHANCED (ENH) RISK

4 - MODERATE (MDT) RISK

5 - HIGH (HIGH) RISK

Severe Weather Incident Annex Georgia Emergency Operations Plan

Severe Weather Incident Annex Page xxx

GA DoD

 Continue day-to-day

activities

 Man JOC to level 1

 Man SOC Ga DOD desk

 Convene TAG Executive

Board

 OPORD to units in GEMA/HS

RFAs

 WarnO for other units to BPT

support

 Coordinate w/ GEMA/HS for

potential EMAC request.

 Validate critical personnel

contact rosters.

 BPT support SOC & JOC

Ops

 Identify potential resources to

support potential incidents

 Man JOC to level 2

 Man SOC Ga DOD desk

 Convene TAG Executive

Board

 WarnO distro'd to units in

task org to BPT support

 Coord w/ GEMA/HS &

Governor for State Active

Duty requirements based on

situation

 Man JOC to level 1

 Man SOC Ga DOD desk

 Convene TAG Executive

Board

 OPORD to units in GEMA/HS

RFAs

 WarnO for other units to BPT

support

 Coord w/ GEMA/HS for

potential EMAC requests

 Man JOC to level 1

 Man SOC Ga DOD desk

 Convene TAG Executive

Board

 OPORD to units in GEMA/HS

RFAs

 Coord w/ GEMA/HS for

potential EMAC rqsts

 Coord w/ Governor to request

Dual Status Commander