As Hurricane Helene approaches DeKalb County, CEO Michael Thurmond is urging residents to understand the proper emergency reporting procedures to facilitate a swift and coordinated response. According to a statement from the DeKalb County Government's official news release, CEO Thurmond emphasized the importance of staying home and off the roads, while also understanding which emergencies should be reported through which channels, ensuring that the appropriate departments and agencies can respond quickly.
The urgency of avoiding roadways during Hurricane Helene measures to ensure that emergency services can address challenges like downed trees, power lines, and flooding without obstruction, CEO Thurmond made a point of detailing the designated emergency lines to the public, noting that proper reporting is crucial for effective crisis management and "if necessary, properly reporting emergencies can expedite a coordinated response by the appropriate department or agency tasked with handling the issue," according to DeKalb County Government's official news release. Meeting the emergency head on, various contact numbers have been disseminated for specific situations; 911 is dedicated to life-threatening situations and significant hazards like downed trees and power lines, a separate number is on hand for non-life-threatening emergencies, and separate numbers have been provided for water and power issues.
In an effort to streamline communication during such emergencies, DeKalb citizens are urged to engage with CodeRED, the system that delivers critical alerts through calls, emails, or text messages during an emergency or severe weather warning based on the registered location. The sign-up portal for CodeRED is accessible via the DeKalb County Government website. Pledging full preparedness, the DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) has powered up its Emergency Operations Center to organize the response to the imminent threat posed by Hurricane Helene and encourages residents to draw from sources such as the National Weather Service, National Hurricane Center, and local media for reliable updates.
With the anticipation of Hurricane Helene's disruptive capabilities, CEO Thurmond's call to action emphasizes the importance of preparedness, citizens are reminded to prepare an emergency kit and to develop comprehensive plans for all family members covering considerations for those most vulnerable such as the children and elderly, as well as pets. With forecasts predicting power outages, flooding, and the potential need to shelter in place, the urgency for thorough readiness is clear.
