Paulding County Safety Guide

• •Move to an interior room on the lowest floor — stay away from windows
• •Tornadoes can form quickly from severe storms; monitor alerts
• •Straight-line winds in Georgia can exceed 70 mph and down trees/power lines
• •If you hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning — go indoors

• •Go to a basement or lowest interior room — put as many walls between you and the outside as possible
• •Mobile homes are not safe during tornadoes — evacuate to a sturdy building or storm shelter
• •Know your community shelter: Paulding County may open designated shelters during warnings
• •If driving, do not shelter under an overpass. Seek a sturdy building first; if none is nearby, lie flat in a low ditch away from the vehicle

• •Turn Around, Don't Drown — never drive through flooded roads (6 inches can stall a vehicle)
• •Move to higher ground immediately if a Flash Flood Warning is issued
• •Paulding County creeks (Rabbit Creek, Gold Creek) can rise rapidly during heavy rain
• •Avoid walking or swimming in floodwaters — hidden hazards and contamination

• •Georgia ice storms can cause widespread power outages — keep generators ready (never use indoors)
• •Drip faucets to prevent frozen pipes during hard freezes
• •Keep extra blankets and warm clothing in your vehicle
• •Black ice is common on Paulding County rural roads in early morning hours

Infants & Children

Stock formula, diapers, and comfort items. Practice tornado drills so children know where to go without fear.

Medical Needs

If you rely on medical equipment, have a backup power plan in place and contact Paulding County EMA for emergency support resources.

Check on Neighbors

Elderly and disabled neighbors may need help sheltering or evacuating. Build a buddy system before severe weather hits.