SAVANNAH () – Severe weather can strike anytime, and being prepared could save your life. Emergency officials are urging Georgians to act as Severe Weather Preparedness Week kicks off. From thunderstorms to tornadoes, there’s plenty you’ll need to know to stay safe.

Hurricanes, tornadoes, and flash floods – Georgia has seen it all. As we enter peak severe weather season it’s important to make sure you’re ready before the next storm hits. If you hear sirens later this morning this is part of the many precautions officials are taking in the Coastal Empire to prepare.

Severe Weather Preparedness Week is underway across Georgia, and today’s focus is tornado safety. At 9:30 a.m., sirens will sound across Chatham County as part of a statewide tornado drill. This is a test, so there is no emergency, but officials are asking you to have a plan before severe weather strikes.

Georgia sees its peak tornado season between January and May, and just last year the state was hit by multiple tornados – and hurricanes. Today’s drill is part of a weeklong campaign to raise awareness about different severe weather threats. Each day highlights a different hazard, from thunderstorms to flash flooding.

To stay safe; identify a safe shelter in your home, school, or workplace and practice what to do in case of a tornado warning. Officials encourage everyone to have a way to receive emergency alerts. If there is bad weather this morning – the siren test will be rescheduled. You can learn more about today’s drill and other severe weather safety tips here.

Each day of the campaign will address the following topics:

• Monday, Feb. 3 – Family Preparedness/NOAA Weather Radio Day: Purchase a life-saving NOAA Weather Radio and choose an out-of-state friend as a “check-in” contact to call if your family gets separated.
• Tuesday, Feb. 4 – Thunderstorm Safety: Learn the difference between a thunderstorm watch and a thunderstorm warning.
• Wednesday, Feb. 5 – Statewide Siren Test and Tornado Safety (Drill at 9:30 a.m.): Determine in advance where you will take shelter in case of a tornado warning.
• Thursday, Feb. 6 – Lightning Safety: Learn the 30/30 rule. If after seeing lightning, you cannot count to 30 before hearing thunder, go indoors. Stay indoors for 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder.
• Friday, Feb. 7 – Flash Flooding & Flood Safety: Copy important documents, seal them in a watertight container and add them to your Ready kit.

Some facts about Georgia’s severe weather:

Tornadoes Can Happen Any Time of Day or Night – Nearly 40% of Georgia’s tornadoes occur at night when it’s hardest to see the storm coming.

Flash Floods Are a Leading Weather Killer – In Georgia, flooding causes more deaths than any other weather-related hazard, often due to drivers attempting to cross flooded roads.

Georgia Has Seen Deadly Tornadoes in Recent Years – Just last year, a tornado outbreak hit Georgia, and that is on top of hurricanes.

Other focuses this week is lightning – a leading weather-related killer, and flash floods – which is responsible for the most storm-related deaths. Safety includes staying indoors during storms and never driving through flooded roads.

While today’s siren test is just a drill, real tornados can form in a matter of minutes. In fact – Georgia has seen an EF-4 tornado in the past – with winds exceeding 166mph. CEMA stresses practicing today so you’re prepared when the next storm hits.

Officials say Georgia averages around 30 tornadoes each year. Some have struck with little to no warning. That’s why drills like today are so important – because when seconds count having a plan could be the difference between life and death