Ready Georgia: Emergency Preparedness Guide for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

Atlanta weather and emergencies can change fast—heavy thunderstorms, flooding, winter ice, extreme heat, hazardous material incidents, and even tornadoes or man‑made emergencies. “Ready Georgia” is the statewide preparedness effort, and Atlanta has its own local systems and resources built into that framework.

If you live in Atlanta, work here, or visit often, understanding how emergency preparedness works in Atlanta and Georgia can make a real difference when minutes matter.

How Emergency Preparedness Works in Atlanta and Georgia

Georgia’s statewide program, often referred to as Ready Georgia, is led by the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS). In Atlanta, that connects directly to:

• City of Atlanta – Office of Emergency Management (OEM)
• Fulton County Emergency Management Agency
• DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency (for parts of Atlanta in DeKalb)

These agencies coordinate planning, alerts, evacuation guidance, and recovery efforts before, during, and after emergencies.

Key idea:
State-level resources (Ready Georgia / GEMA/HS) provide broad guidance and tools, while Atlanta city and county agencies handle local warnings, shelters, road closures, and on‑the‑ground support.

Top Emergencies Atlanta Residents Should Prepare For

Atlanta doesn’t face hurricanes directly like coastal areas, but the city has its own mix of likely hazards. Residents are generally encouraged to plan for:

• Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes
• Flash flooding (especially near low-lying areas and creeks)
• Winter storms and ice
• Extreme heat and power outages
• Hazardous material incidents or major traffic accidents
• Public safety emergencies involving large gatherings, events, or critical infrastructure

Understanding these risks helps you decide what to put in your kit, how to plan, and which alerts to sign up for.

Step 1: Make an Emergency Plan for Your Atlanta Household

A basic family emergency plan is central to Ready Georgia guidance. In Atlanta, that plan should include a few local specifics.

What Your Atlanta Plan Should Cover

1. How you’ll get information

   • Local TV and radio stations
   • Wireless Emergency Alerts on your phone
   • County alert systems (Fulton and DeKalb)
   • City of Atlanta notifications for major incidents

2. Where you’ll meet

   • Near-home meetup point (e.g., a neighbor’s front yard or local corner)
   • Out-of-neighborhood location such as a library, community center, or a known landmark away from major risk areas

3. How you’ll evacuate if needed

   • Main and alternate routes that avoid downtown gridlock when possible
   • Plans that consider MARTA, rideshares, or friends if you don’t drive
   • A plan for school pick‑ups if children are in Atlanta Public Schools

4. Who you’ll check in with

   • An out-of-area contact (friend or relative in another state) everyone can text or call
   • Backup contact methods if phone service is limited (texting often works better than calling during heavy usage)

5. Special needs and responsibilities

   • Mobility challenges, medical devices, or service animals
   • Language needs or disabilities that might require additional support
   • Support for elders or neighbors who may need help evacuating

Step 2: Build a Ready Georgia–Style Emergency Supply Kit for Atlanta

You are encouraged to have at least 3 days of basic supplies, with up to 2 weeks being ideal if possible. Store part of your kit at home and consider a smaller “go bag” for your car or workplace.

Core Items for an Atlanta Emergency Kit

• Water: Aim for 1 gallon per person per day
• Non-perishable food: Easy-to-prepare items that don’t need cooking
• Manual can opener
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• Phone chargers and portable power banks
• First aid supplies (bandages, antiseptic, basic over‑the‑counter items)
• Personal hygiene items and sanitation supplies
• Copies of key documents in a waterproof bag (IDs, insurance, leases, medical info)
• Cash in small bills (in case electronic payments are down)
• Sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate clothing

Atlanta-Specific Additions to Consider

Because of Atlanta’s climate and geography, you may also want:

• Rain gear and umbrellas for sudden storms
• Ponchos and waterproof bags for tech and important items
• Extra ice scraper, blanket, and gloves in case of unexpected winter ice events
• Cooling towel, sunscreen, and hats for extreme heat, especially if you use MARTA or walk a lot
• Small tool kit and work gloves for clearing light debris
• MARTA maps or printed route info in case apps or data service are limited

Step 3: Know How to Get Alerts and Warnings in Atlanta

Staying informed is one of the most important parts of Ready Georgia–style preparedness.

Wireless & Broadcast Alerts

• Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA):
  • These are the loud alerts that appear on most smartphones by default for tornado warnings, flash floods, and other urgent threats.
• Weather radio:
  • A NOAA Weather Radio can give location‑based warnings, which is useful during overnight storms.

Local Atlanta and County Alert Systems

Atlanta residents are encouraged to enroll in local county alert systems, which can send texts, calls, or emails for:

• Severe weather
• Road closures and major accidents
• Water service issues
• Public safety incidents

Look for alert registration options from:

• Fulton County Emergency Management Agency – for most of the City of Atlanta

  • Main office: 141 Pryor St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Phone (main line): 404-612-4000

• DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency – for Atlanta addresses in DeKalb

  • Main office: 1950 W Exchange Pl, Tucker, GA 30084
  • Phone (main line): 770-270-0413

Atlanta also communicates major emergencies through:

• Local television and radio stations
• City of Atlanta news releases and social media
• Digital signs on major roads and interstates

Quick Reference: Who Does What in an Atlanta Emergency?

Planning for Weather Emergencies in Atlanta

Tornadoes and Severe Thunderstorms

Metro Atlanta sees frequent severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes.

What to do:

• Identify a safe interior space in your home:
  • Lowest level, interior room, away from windows (bathroom, closet, interior hallway).
• If you live in an apartment or high-rise:
  • Go to an interior hallway or stairwell on a lower floor if possible.
• Keep helmets, sturdy shoes, and flashlights in your safe space.

Flooding and Flash Floods

Some Atlanta neighborhoods are prone to rapid flooding during intense storms, especially near creeks, underpasses, and low-lying intersections.

Preparation tips:

• Learn whether your street or complex is known to flood easily.
• Avoid parking in low-lying areas or underpasses when storms are expected.
• Never drive through water covering the road—depth and current can be hard to judge.

Winter Weather and Ice

Even a small amount of ice can significantly affect highways, hills, and overpasses in Atlanta.

How to prepare locally:

• Keep a winter kit in your car in colder months: blanket, gloves, flashlight, snack foods, and water.
• Keep your gas tank at least half full when winter storms are forecast.
• Expect delays or closures for schools, businesses, and roads when freezing rain or snow is expected.

Planning for Power Outages and Extreme Heat

Power outages in Atlanta can occur during storms, high winds, or extreme heat waves.

Before an outage:

• Have flashlights (not just candles) and extra batteries ready.
• Keep your phone and power banks fully charged when storms are forecast.
• Know where your main circuit breaker is located.

During summer heat waves:

• Plan to spend time in cooler locations if your home gets very hot during outages:
  • Public libraries
  • Shopping centers
  • Community centers and cooling sites, when announced
• Check on neighbors, especially older adults or those in top‑floor apartments.

If You Need Shelter or Assistance in Atlanta

Depending on the scale of the emergency, shelters and assistance sites may be set up by:

• City of Atlanta
• Fulton or DeKalb County
• Local American Red Cross

Shelter locations will normally be announced through local news outlets, county emergency alerts, and official city channels.

For general (non-emergency) planning questions, you can contact:

• City of Atlanta – Office of Emergency Management

  • 226 Peachtree St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Phone (City of Atlanta main information line): 404-330-6000

• American Red Cross of Georgia – Metro Atlanta area

  • 1955 Monroe Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
  • Main office phone: 404-876-3302

For immediate life‑threatening emergencies, always call 911.

Emergency Preparedness for Visitors and Commuters in Atlanta

If you’re visiting Atlanta for work, conventions, or tourism, it’s still smart to be “Ready Georgia” aware.

Simple steps for visitors:

• Note the address of your hotel or rental and the nearest major cross streets.
• Ask the front desk about emergency exits and shelter-in-place locations.
• Keep a small personal kit:
  • Phone charger, portable battery
  • Basic snacks and water bottle
  • Photocopy or image of your ID
• Plan meeting points with your group if you’re:
  • Attending events at the Georgia World Congress Center, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, or State Farm Arena.

If a significant emergency occurs, follow guidance from:

• Hotel or venue staff
• Local law enforcement and first responders
• Official announcements from city or county agencies

Making Ready Georgia Principles Work in Everyday Atlanta Life

You don’t need to overhaul your life to be better prepared in Atlanta. A practical approach is to build habits over time:

• Update your emergency contacts in your phone and share key numbers with family.
• Add one or two items to your emergency kit each shopping trip.
• Review your family plan when:
  • School starts or ends
  • You move to a new neighborhood
  • A major storm season approaches
• Pay attention to weather alerts, especially during spring and summer storm seasons and winter cold snaps.

By combining the general guidance of Ready Georgia with Atlanta-specific planning, you can significantly improve your readiness whether you live here year‑round, commute into the city, or visit frequently. Being prepared in advance means you’re more likely to stay safe and calm when the unexpected happens.