As the National Weather Service was holding multiple severe weather briefings with Emergency Management Agencies (EMA) and partners around the state ahead of a line of severe storms impacting Georgia the weekend of March 14-16, our local Macon-Bibb EMA wanted to take another step in helping the community prepare. The day before the storms were to arrive, they set up in City Hall to provide free NOAA weather radio and pillow shaker/strobe light combo packs. 

“Our goal was to get as many of these as possible into people’s homes ahead of the storns because they, along with MBCAlert, are the quickest and most effective ways to get people accurate information in an emergency,” says EMA Director Spencer Hawkins. “We’re particularly excited to provide the pillow shaker and strobe light combo pack because that will help protect people who are hard of hearing.” 

During the course of about three hours, 870 weather radios and 160 pillow shakers were given out to Macon-Bibb County families. 

“I was both overwhelmed and excited to see the turnout for our giveaway. I hope that our community continues to prioritize preparedness and helps share the message that the time to prepare is now,” adds Hawkins. 

Distributing these devices is part of the EMA’s effort to make sure every person and family has multiple ways to get emergency and weather information. To pick up these free weather safety devices, stop by the EMA offices (700 Poplar Street, next to City Hall) Monday through Thursday between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. Due to limited supply, we ask that people get one radio per household, but you can get one for a disabled friend/family member.

People can sign up for MBCAlert by going to www.maconbibb.us/mbcalert, and people are encouraged to follow the Agency on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Hawkins also wants to stress to people that follow local media and weather forecasters on their social media channels to make sure they get as much information as possible about emergencies and severe weather.