Weather Safety

Depending on the season, flooding, lightning, thunderstorms, tornados, excessive heat, drought, and winter storms can pose a threat to you and your family.

Watch vs. Warning

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a severe thunderstorm watch means that the potential exists for the development of thunderstorms which may produce large hail or damaging winds. When a watch is issued, you can go about normal activities, but should pay attention to the radio, Internet, or TV for severe weather updates.

A severe thunderstorm warning means that a severe thunderstorm is occurring or is imminent based on Doppler radar information, according to NOAA. You should move indoors to a place of safety.

NOAA also states that a tornado watch, similar to a severe thunderstorm watch, means that conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms to form and may be capable of producing a tornado. A tornado warning means a tornado is either occurring or imminent based on radar. You should take cover immediately.

Lightning Safety in Johns Creek

Thanks to lightning prediction devices and sirens at Ocee and Newtown parks, Johns Creek park patrons have advanced warning of possible lightning strikes.

The devices monitor the atmosphere’s electrostatic energy up to 15 miles away and evaluate the potential for lightning within a 2-mile radius. When conditions seem favorable to lightning, a siren sounds for 15 seconds, and a strobe flashes. The sirens may sound periodically if conditions persist. When conditions are no longer threatening, the siren sounds three blasts of five seconds each to signal all clear.

FALCON

Fulton County is now using the FALCON system to distribute emergency notifications to residents, businesses, and county employees.

FALCON is a telephone communication service that allows us to quickly notify citizens about emergency situations such as severe weather, flash flood warnings, tornado warnings, and more.

All residents are being encouraged to review and update their information.