Resident’s Handbook To Prepare for Natural Hazards in Georgia ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AUTHOR LIST The Resident’s Handbook to Prepare for Natural Hazards in Georgia is a resource that has PART 1: INTRODUCTION been developed by University of Georgia’s (UGA) Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, in David A. Donnelly Emergency Management Director collaboration with several federal, state and local partners. This handbook provides detailed Pam Knox Director of University of Georgia Weather Network information on emergency preparedness, evacuation planning, and steps that residents can take to Tim Davis Chatham County Extension Agent Elizabeth Andress UGA Extension Food Safety Professor and Extension Specialist protect their life and property. The purpose of this handbook is to provide actionable information Sarah DeYoung Assistant Professor, University of Delaware’s Disaster Research Center that residents can use to build resilience to natural hazards in Georgia. Resources included Scott Brazell Community Rating System Erosion and Sedimentation Coordinator throughout the handbook address specific needs of underserved populations, including people with functional and access needs. PART 2: NATURAL HAZARDS We would like to thank the University of Hawai’i Sea Grant (HISG) College Program for allowing Pam Knox* Director of University of Georgia Weather Network us to model the handbook after the original Homeowners Handbook to Prepare for Natural Jill Gambill Coastal Resilience Specialist Hazards. Special thanks to Dennis Hwang and Darren Okimoto from HISG for providing us with Randall Mathews Assistant Director of Chatham Emergency Management Agency David A. Donnelly Emergency Management Director guidance and support that led to the development of this handbook. Jessica Warren Coordinator/Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, UGA Extension, Camden County Extension Peggy Hegarty Georgia Resident An author list for the Resident’s Handbook is provided on the following page (* indicates first Larry Logan Emergency Management Director author). All authors also helped edit the handbook. Jackie E. Ogden FACS Agent, UGA Extension, Chatham County Extension Ashley Brooke Felt Graduate Assistant This project would not have come to fruition without the incredible support and thorough feedback provided by many experts including Mark Risse, Katie Higgins, Emily Kenworthy, Trey PART 3: PROTECTING YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY Cooper, Jessica Brown (UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant), Dennis Hwang (University of Hawai’i Sea Grant), Warren Kriesel (UGA Department of Agriculture and Applied Science), Diane Bales* UGA Extension Human Development & Family Science Associate Professor and Extension Specialist Lisa Jordan UGA Extension SE FACS Program Development Coordinator Rhiannon Bezore (Virginia Sea Grant), Judy Benson (Connecticut Sea Grant), Michelle P. Covi Pamela R. Turner UGA Extension Housing & Environment Professor and Extension Specialist (Virginia Sea Grant Climate Adaptation and Resilience), Ian Miller (Washington Sea Grant), Linda Elizabeth L. Andress UGA Extension Food Safety Professor and Extension Specialist Chilton (University of Southern California Sea Grant), Juliana Barrett (Connecticut Sea Grant Peggy Hegarty Georgia Resident College Program), Kathleen M. Fallon (New York Sea Grant), Martha Gerig (Michigan Sea Grant) Sarah DeYoung Assistant Professor, University of Delaware’s Disaster Research Center and Liam O’ Shaughnessy (JOMA Construction). Jackie E. Ogden FACS Agent, UGA Extension, Chatham County Extension Ashley Brooke Felt Graduate Assistant Mona Behl and Ashley Brooke Felt (UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant) served as executive editors of this handbook. All questions regarding this handbook can be directed to Mona PART 4: PROTECT AND STRENGTHEN YOUR PROPERTY (FOR HOMEOWNERS) Behl at [email protected]. Dennis Hwang* Coastal Hazard Mitigation Specialist at HISG Jill Gambill Coastal Resilience Specialist Pamela R. Turner UGA Extension Housing & Environment Professor and Extension Specialist Suggested Citation: Tim Davis Chatham County Extension Agent Peggy Hegarty Georgia Resident Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant. (2020). Resident’s Handbook to Prepare for Natural Hazards Ashley Brooke Felt Graduate Assistant in Georgia. PART 5: FINANCIAL PROTECTION Hank Hodde* Sustainability and Resiliency Coordinator at Pinellas County Government Jill Gambill Coastal Resilience Specialist Dennis Hwang Coastal Hazard Mitigation Specialist at HISG Ashley Brooke Felt Graduate Assistant Cover image: Stephen B. Morton / Associated Press Published August 2020 3.10 Helping Pets 42 3.11 Food Safety After the Emergency 43 Table of Contents 3.12 What to do if You Lose Everything 44 3.12.1 Finding Food and Housing 44 PART 1: INTRODUCTION 1 3.12.2 Financial Resources 45 1.1 Common Myths and Reasons to Prepare 2 3.13 Helping Yourself Cope After an Emergency 46 1.2 Actions to Take to Prepare for Natural Hazards 5 3.13.1 Mental Health 46 3.13.2 Sexual Assault and Family Violence 47 PART 2: NATURAL HAZARDS: AN OVERVIEW FOR RESIDENTS 9 2.1 Tornado and Severe Thunderstorm Hazards 9 PART 4: PROTECT AND STRENGTHEN YOUR PROPERTY (FOR HOMEOWNERS) 48 2.1.1 Tornados 10 4.1 Best Standards for Building Better 48 2.1.2 Hail 11 4.1.1 Understanding Building Codes 49 2.1.3 High Winds and Straight-Line Winds 11 4.1.2 FORTIFIED Home 50 2.1.4 Derechos 12 4.1.3 Design for Your Risk 51 2.2 Tropical Cyclones 13 4.2 Retrofitting an Existing Home 51 2.2.1 Tropical Storms 13 4.2.1 Roof-to-Wall Connection 51 2.2.2 Hurricanes 14 4.2.2 Re-Roofing 52 2.3 Flood Hazards 18 4.2.3 Foundation Uplift Strengthening Restraint 52 2.4 Wildfire Hazards 20 4.3 Strengthening the Roof System 53 2.5 Extreme Heat 21 4.3.1 Roofing Assembly 53 2.6 Drought 24 4.3.2 Strengthening Gables and Soffits 58 2.7 Winter Storms 25 4.4 Shutters and Other Protective Barriers 60 4.4.1 Garage and Entry Doors 64 PART 3: PROTECTING YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY 28 4.4.2 Opening Protection to Avoid 64 3.1 Understanding Your Risk 28 4.5 Continuous Load Path, Design Pressure, and Chimney Anchoring 65 3.2 Emergency Supplies 29 4.5.1 Continuous Load Path Connections 65 3.3 Evacuation Kit 32 4.5.2 Window and Door Design Pressure 68 3.4 Evacuation Planning 34 4.5.3 Chimneys 68 3.4.1 Emergency Alert System and Communication 34 4.6 Foundation 68 3.4.2 Evacuation Procedures for Hurricanes 34 4.7 Flood Prevention 70 3.5 Wildfire Prevention 35 4.7.1 Wet Floodproofing 72 3.6 Tornado Safety 35 4.7.2 Dry Floodproofing 74 3.7 Winter Weather Preparedness and Safety 36 4.7.3 Elevating Existing Structures 76 3.8 Helping Children 37 4.8 Concrete Structures 77 3.8.1 Helping Children Prepare Before a Hazard Strikes 37 4.8.1 Safe Rooms 78 3.8.2 Helping Children Cope During a Hazard 38 4.9 Trees 78 3.8.3 Helping Your Child Prepare for Separation 39 4.9.1 Landscaping Tips 79 3.9 Helping the Elderly and People with Functional and Access Needs 40 4.9.2 Protecting Your Home Against Wildfires 80 3.9.1 Register with Your Local Emergency Management Office 41 4.10 Electrical Issues 81 3.9.2 Helping Individuals with Memory Impairment 41 4.10.1 Energy Efficiency 81 3.9.3 Helping Individuals with Functional and Access Needs 41 4.10.2 Generators 82 4.10.3 Power Stations 83 PART ONE: 4.11 Plumbing Issues 83 Introduction PART 5: FINANCIAL PROTECTION (FOR HOMEOWNERS) 85 5.1 Understanding and Obtaining Good Insurance 85 Why read this handbook? Introduction 5.1.1 Shopping for Your Insurance 87 5.1.2 Understanding the Residual Market 88 Your home is your castle. It protects you, your family, and your possessions from the elements. 5.1.3 Determining How Much Insurance You Need 88 Whether you are a renter or owner, your home is also a major financial investment. Natural 5.2 Insurance for Wind Events 89 hazards such as hurricanes, tropical storms, floods, tornadoes, winter storms, excessive and 5.3 Insurance for Flood Events 90 prolonged heat waves, drought, and forest fires can threaten your home, your family, and your 5.3.1 National Flood Insurance Program 92 community. When a natural hazard occurs, the impacts can be devastating. 5.3.2 Community Rating System 92 5.3.3 Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) Coverage 93 This handbook will help you prepare for natural hazards in Georgia and reduce risks to your family 5.4 Making a Claim After Receiving a Loss 94 and property. While it is not possible to eliminate all potential threats from a natural hazard, as a 5.5 Choose a Qualified Contractor and Avoid Scams 97 resident, you can take action by implementing small, cost-effective steps that could significantly 5.5.1 Tips to Choose a Qualified Contractor 97 lower your risk. More million-dollar weather-related disasters have occurred in the Southeast than 5.5.2 Avoid Being a Victim of Fraud 98 any other region in the United States. Your family and home deserve the protection that only you can provide. APPENDIX A - EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCIES 100 APPENDIX B - BROADCAST AND PUBLIC RADIO STATIONS 112 This handbook is divided into the following parts: APPENDIX C - MENTAL HEALTH AND SEXUAL ASSAULT RESOURCES 114 Part 1 provides an introduction, presents the purpose and layout of the handbook and includes a discussion of common myths that may have prevented you from taking action APPENDIX D - USEFUL LINKS 118 in the past. A summary of the content of this handbook is also provided in the form of Weather-Related Resources 118 10 actionable items. Preparedness and Disaster Assistance Resources 119 Mental Health and Sexual Assault Resources 121 Part 2 covers basic information about natural hazards in Georgia including hurricanes, Construction Resources 122 tropical storms, floods, tornadoes, winter storms, excessive and prolonged heat waves, drought, and forest fires.