LOWNDES Co. – The National Weather Service in Tallahassee has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Lowndes County and much of South Georgia and North Florida as a large system moves through the area.

Lowndes County Emergency Management issued the following statement concerning the storm and preparing for its impacts:

“The Northwest portion of Lowndes County is categorized as a Slight Risk for Severe Storms while the remaining parts of Lowndes County are placed in a Marginal Risk category.  To help you better understand what those risk categories mean I have attached a graphic provided by the NWS labeled as Understanding Categories.  Based on the briefing image attached the greatest threat for severe weather in our immediate area will be between 7PM and 11PM tonight.  This storm is expected to weaken as it initially approaches I-75 but forecasters warn that once the initial band of storms moves through that around midnight an additional round of storms is likely to develop in the eastern portion of the forecast area, which includes Lowndes County.  Any storms that develop during this second wave have the potential to be a little bit stronger than the first.  Winds have already begun to pick up as of this morning and wind gusts up to 40 mph are possible all day ahead of the storms.  Once the storms arrive the main threat will be from damaging winds which could reach speeds of up to 70mph during the strongest storms.  Tornados are always possible but straight line winds are also a huge concern because they usually come through with no warning and create pretty much the same level of damage in their path.” –Lowndes County EMA Director, Ashley Tye

Currently, citizens should do the following:

• Secure outdoor patio furniture, trampolines, toys, or anything else that could be relocated in the event of strong wind gusts.
• Trim or remove any branches or other vegetation that could pose a hazard or damage property due to wind.
• Make sure pets are properly care for.  Local ordinances require pet owners to provide safe and adequate shelter during periods of severe weather.  Take steps to fortify outdoor shelter or bring them inside.
• Sign up for Lowndes County’s free, emergency notification system by visiting www.lowndescounty.com, and clicking on the CODERed icon.
• Maintain a working NOAA weather radio.
• Stay tuned to local media.

Lowndes County Emergency Management will be updating the EMA Lowndes Facebook page through the night as conditions develop and I will also be available by cell at 229-292-6142, if anyone needs an update through the night.  If we have any damage reported before the end of the regular work day or if conditions deteriorate sooner than expected, I’ll let you all know.