Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Elementaries dismissed at 2:15 p.m.; middle and high schools are dismissing at 3 p.m., according to a phone message left by school officials.
Oconee County's public schools are dismissing early on Wednesday afternoon to get students home before severe weather hits, according to a recorded phone message from Assistant Superintendent for Operations and Student Services Mark Channell. Elementary Schools dismissed at 2:15 p.m., the message said. Middle and high schools will dismiss at 3 p.m. All afternoon activities are canceled.
UPDATE: The National Weather Service has extended a tornado watch for much of the state until 8 p.m.
Oconee County is one of 64 Georgia counties that is under a tornado watch until 8 p.m, according to a notice from the National Weather Service. The Weather Channel says this means "conditions are conducive to the development of tornadoes in and close to the watch area." In addition, there is a wind advisory in effect for most of north and central Georgia until midnight. Winds 15-20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph could knock down tree limbs and make driving difficult, the advisory notes. "It is important to stay aware today," a hazardous weather outlook states. "The line of storms is expected to push into northwest Georgia this morning...track through the ATL metro area by mid afternoon... and along an Athens to Macon to Americus line by early…
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Strong storms leave paths of destruction in the Midwest and South, including Georgia.
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Saturday, March 3, 2012
A massive chain of severe storms pounded the Midwest and South over the last couple of days killing more than 30 people and leaving a path of demolished structures in its wake, according to media reports. The Huffington Post reported Indiana and Kentucky were hit the hardest with confirmed death tolls of at least 14 in each state. According to Dacula Weather, a preliminary count from the storm system showed 95 reports of tornadoes, 228 wind reports, and 417 reports of hail, also noting, "there were more tornado reports yesterday than we average for the entire month of March." Storms crossing into Georgia from Alabama prompted the National Weather Service to issue numerous of those warnings and watches in Georgia. Oconee County was under a…
Monday, April 4, 2011
The Oconee County Emergency Management Agency wants citizens to be aware of possible dangers associated with severe thunderstorms.
Another bout of severe weather is making its way into Georgia, according to forecasts. The National Weather Service in Peachtree City has issued a hazardous weather outlook for north and central Georgia, including Oconee County, that advises of a strong storm system that may hit the area overnight Monday to Tuesday. Conditions may spawn isolated tornadoes, the notice states. Hail and damaging winds are also threats. Up to 2 inches of new rainfall is possible, according to forecasts. Through an email notification, Mark Melvin, deputy director of the Oconee County Emergency Management Agency, asked citizens to "please be aware of the storms and take appropriate action to stay safe."
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Oconee is one of 45 north Georgia counties that is under a severe thunderstorm watch overnight.
Update (11:30 p.m.): The Northwestern part of Oconee County is now under a severe thunderstorm warning until midnight. Powerful thunderstorms have been rolling into northeast Georgia since the afternoon, and they have made their way into Oconee County. The National Weather Service in Peachtree City issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the area that will be in effect until 5 a.m. Strong, damaging wind, cloud-to-ground lightning, large hail, and heavy rain are a few of the posed dangers, a hazardous weather outlook noted. Severe thunderstorm warnings and tornado watches have been issued for other Georgia counties and parts of Alabama. See a slideshow of pictures on WSBTV.com of the damage similar storms caused in the Northeastern part of…
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Monday's severe weather gave the city the opportunity to e-mail an alert to citizens who have already signed up for the emergency notifications.
An e-mail alert system is gaining momentum in the City of Watkinsville. The idea came about following a boil-water advisory that was issued in early February. Some citizens suggested to Watkinsville council members that there could be a more efficient way to notify residents in the event of such emergencies, a matter council discussed at their Feb. 9 meeting. Talks of a telephone notification system began, and the city started collecting e-mail addresses from citizens to reach them that way, Watkinsville Mayor Joe Walter said. When Watkinsville faced a threat of severe thunderstorms on Monday, city officials sent out the first e-mail blast. Monday's e-mail was simply a forwarded message from Oconee County Emergency Management Agency Deputy…
33.86733
-83.418249
City of Watkinsville
191 V F W Dr, Watkinsville, GA
/articles/watkinsville-building-e-mail-notification-system
1623157
/locations/3543766
Monday, February 28, 2011
The National Weather Service in Peachtree City issued a tornado watch for much of north Georgia in effect until 8 p.m.
Update: Pea-sized hail has been reported in the area, according to the National Weather Service. A severe thunderstorm warning has been extended to 6:30 p.m. The storm has been moving quickly. Oconee County is one of 53 north Georgia counties that is under a tornado watch until 8 p.m, according to a notice from the National Weather Service in Peachtree City. This means "conditions are conducive to the development of tornadoes in and close to the watch area." In addition, there is a wind advisory in effect for all of north and central Georgia until 7 p.m. Winds over 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph could knock down tree limbs and make driving difficult, the advisory notes. A hazardous weather outlook states strong to severe thunderstorms …
Thunderstorms and high winds are possible for your Monday. Find out what else is going on in and around Oconee today.
1. Forecasts call for strong storms and wind as the work week gets underway. The National Weather Service of Peachtree City has issued a hazardous weather outlook for Oconee County and other parts of northeast Georgia. High temperatures are expected to be in the upper 70s again today. 2.All week long volunteers will read and record books aloud for the blind and dyslexic at RFB&D’s Athens recording studio. The public is welcome to stop in and learn more about the organization. 3. Watkinsville's location of Mirko Pasta participates in Free Pasta Mondays. Choose a long or short pasta for free when sauce and soda is purchased. Check out more details on the restaurant's website.. 4. On the sports calendar, the North Oconee High School boys…
Monday, February 7, 2011
The Oconee County Emergency Management Agency provides information and resources about how to stay safe when weather emergencies arise.
Monday kicks off Severe Weather Awareness Week in Georgia, and agencies are getting out the message at the local level. Oconee County Emergency Management Director Bruce Thaxton said each day focuses on a specific type of weather safety: While all topics are important, Thaxton had the most to say about family preparedness. "Family Preparedness Day is a time for every family to plan and rehearse what they should do during the first 72 hours of any severe weather-related event or disaster," he said. Ready Georgia is a website devoted to helping families create their own safety checklist and communications plan, Thaxton said. That plan should include posting emergency numbers by the phone and keeping at least a three-day supply of emergency…
33.7321
-83.5859
Oconee County Emergency Management Agency
1120 Experiment Station Road Emergency Operations Center, Watkinsville, GA
/articles/local-agency-encourages-observation-of-severe-weather-awareness-week
1623022
/locations/3305644
Stephanie Gross
3:32 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
From Oconee County Parks and Recreation: Oconee County Parks and Recreation Department does have an emergency plan for tornado events. However, due to the tornado watch in place for Oconee County and the potential dangerous weather, we recommend that parents that are able come and pick up your child from After School earlier today. more ›