January 2, 2018
SAVANNAH, GA (January 2, 2018) – Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) will activate the EOC (Emergency Operation Center) to level 3 tomorrow morning due to winter weather conditions. The EOC enters level 3 activation when an event could impact Chatham County or assistance may be needed in coordinating County resources for an event. The center is staffed with critical personnel focused on situational awareness.
According to the National Weather Service, there is a winter storm watch for Wednesday morning through evening for Chatham County. Sleet and snow accumulations of 1-3 inches may be possible across the county. Freezing rain accumulations up to 0.1” may be possible. There is also a potential for coastal flooding Wednesday morning.
Closings announced so far are below:
· Chatham County offices, Operations, and Courts will be closed on Wednesday, January 3rd with only essential personnel reporting to work.
· Savannah- Chatham County Public Schools will be closed Wednesday, January 3rd. An update regarding SCCPSS school opening and district operations for January 4th will be provided by 3 PM on Wednesday, January 3rd.
· All health departments and public health facilities in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh counties will be closed on Wednesday, January 3rd.Facilities are expected to reopen at 1 p.m. on Thursday, January 4th.
· For individual municipality closings, please contact those individual municipalities.
Now is the time to begin preparing for potential power outages and icy conditions. Families should finish assembling their emergency supplies for both their homes and vehicles. Mobile devices should be plugged in and charged in anticipation for potential power outages. If power outages occur, avoid opening and closing exterior doors, insulate windows with blinds and curtains and keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed.
If using a gas heating system, be sure to check carbon monoxide detectors. Avoid all unnecessary driving. If power is out, treat stop lights as a four way stop. For up-to-date information and preparedness tips visit CEMA’s social media accounts.
###