70054 news 1316418757 1475896209 <![CDATA[Severe Weather Affects Everyone]]> Three and half years ago, on a balmy late winter evening, a tornadic thunderstorm tracked through the heart of the City of Atlanta, causing significant damage throughout the downtown Atlanta area. The tornado touched down around 9:38 PM in the Vine City neighborhood and travelled over 6 miles to the east southeast, striking the Georgia World Congress Center, Omni Hotel, Centennial Olympic Park, the Equitable Building, the Peachtree Westin, Georgia State University, Grady Memorial Hospital and many other iconic Atlanta institutions. At its peak, the tornado produced winds in excess of 120 MPH, a strong EF2 tornado.

This event is a good reminder that tornados do not discriminate against urban areas. Further, for those with Georgia Tech interests, the storm was incredibly close to campus. The core of the path was less than a mile due south of Georgia Tech.

Here are a few suggestions to ensure you stay informed about severe weather and other hazards:

1.       Ensure you are opted in for GTENS so that you get campus-related alert messages to your phone (https://passport.gatech.edu)

2.       Check the local forecast daily at www.weather.gov/atlanta

3.       Purchase and use a weather radio. These are invaluable when storms threaten overnight.

4.       Share important information with your friends and neighbors.

Take time during National Preparedness Month to visit the Office of Emergency Preparedness website www.emergencypreparedness.gatech.edu for additional information about severe weather and other hazards that affect campus. You can also follow the Emergency Preparedness office on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/GTEmergency) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/GTPDalerts).

 

]]> 2011-09-19T00:00:00-04:00 70052 image <![CDATA[npm4]]> 192893 image/jpeg Jennifer Mattingly

Phone: 404-385-7675

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