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
2585 Gresham Road
Atlanta, Ga.

North DeKalb Senior/Community Center
3393 Malone Drive
Chamblee, Ga. 

Mason Mill Recreation Center
1340 McConnell Drive
Decatur, Ga.  

Exchange Park Intergeneration Center
2771 Columbia Drive
Decatur, Ga.

Douglas

Deer Lick Park Gym
2105 Mack Road
Douglasville, Ga. 

Lithia Springs Senior Center
7301 Groovers Lk Road
Lithia Springs, Ga.

Fulton

Central Park Recreation Center 
400 Merritts Ave. NE
Atlanta, Ga.

Old Adamsville Recreation Center
3404 Delmar Lane NW
Atlanta, Ga.
(Overflow location)

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
2807 Glenloch Road
Franklin, Ga. 

Heard County High School
545 Main Street
Franklin, Ga. 

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.