Severe Weather - March 15, 2025
State of Emergency
Governor Brian P. Kemp has declared a statewide State of Emergency, effective at noon today, in preparation for the severe and potentially damaging weather front moving into Georgia late this evening and early tomorrow morning. The State of Emergency executive order authorizes the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) to activate the State Operations Center (SOC) and mobilize any needed resources to address potential impacts. Crews will also be on standby to respond to damage and power outages. The State of Emergency will expire at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18.
Among other provisions, the State of Emergency order prohibits price gouging. Access the full State of Emergency Executive Order here.
Shelters
Below is a list of known shelters open for severe weather this evening. Please reach out to your local emergency management agency if you do not see your county shelter(s) below.
County | Location |
Bartow | Houston Suggs Gym 35 Beavers Drive Cartersville, Ga. |
Carroll | Sheriff's Office Training Center 997 Newnan Road Carrollton, Ga. |
DeKalb | Frontline Response International Exchange Park Intergeneration Center |
Douglas | Deer Lick Park Gym Lithia Springs Senior Center |
Fulton | Central Park Recreation Center Old Adamsville Recreation Center |
Gordon | Sonoraville Baptist Church 262 Old Fairmount Road SE Calhoun, Ga. Fairmount Methodist Church 121 Calhoun Street SE, Fairmount, Ga. Pleasant Hill Baptist Church 574 Pleasant Hill Road NE Ranger, Ga. Heritage Baptist Church 345 Curtis Parkway Calhoun, Ga. |
Heard | Glenloch Baptist Church Heard County High School |
Stewart | Wims Center 7062 Green Grove Road Lumpkin, Ga. |
Webster | Community Center 40 Cemetery Road Preston, GA 31824 |
Preparedness
- Turn On Weather Alerts
- Every family should have multiple ways to receive severe weather alerts—especially one that will wake you up in the middle of the night.
- There are many options for staying informed:
- NOAA Weather Radio: Broadcasts watches and warnings directly from the National Weather Service (NWS).
- County Alert Systems: Some counties use outdoor warning sirens, while others rely on telephone notifications. Check with your local EMA director to learn what system your community uses.
- Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA): These emergency messages come from government alerting authorities through your mobile carrier—no app or subscription required.
- Smartphone Apps: Many free and paid apps provide real-time alerts based on your location.
- Emergency Alert System (EAS) messages, local TV stations, and trusted media outlets.
- A Reminder About Tornado Sirens
- Tornado sirens are outdoor warning systems only, so they are not meant to be heard indoors.
- Again, please use weather apps, NOAA Weather Radios, WEA alerts and the other alert systems I named earlier to ensure you are notified immediately if a tornado warning is issued.
- Check Your Tornado Safety Plan
- The safest place is the lowest level of a sturdy building, in a small, windowless room (like a basement, interior closet, or bathroom).
- If you live in a mobile home or are in a vehicle, move to sturdy shelter immediately.
- Keep an emergency kit with essentials such as a flashlight, extra batteries, first aid supplies, and a whistle.
- Final Preparations Before the Storm
- Review your family communications plan so everyone knows how to stay connected and where to go if you're in different locations when severe weather strikes.
- Check and/or restock your Ready kits and make sure you have essentials like flashlights, batteries, first aid supplies, and enough food and water to get you through the weekend.
- Charge electronic devices and have backup power sources available.
- If power outages occur, stay informed through battery-operated radios or other means.
- Secure your home against potential wind and water damage by bringing in outdoor furniture and securing loose items.
- Check in on neighbors, the elderly, and those with disabilities to ensure they are prepared.