February is right around the corner; and with it, comes the probability of severe thunderstorms, hail, snow, and dangerous ice. Historically, this is the most brutal winter month, ushering in power outages, damage from fallen trees, and of course, the inevitable bread and milk shortages. Treacherous winter weather conditions demand an action plan. There’s nothing more important than being prepared, if and when a disaster does strike.

  Fortunately, February 4 through 8 is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Georgia. The Henry County Emergency Management Agency  (HCEMA) is holding a variety of contests to encourage citizens of all ages to become more aware of severe weather safety measures.

  The Henry County Emergency Management Agency (HCEMA) targets the entire Henry County population. This includes children and teens, who are often the most eager to learn and can find creative ways to get prepared and then share that enthusiasm with their peers. Consequently, this year during Severe Weather Awareness, HCEMA is encouraging Henry County elementary, middle and high schools to become involved by participating in one of several severe weather awareness contests:

  •A Poster Contest will be open to all elementary school students in Henry County and must address why it's important to plan for severe weather.

  •An Essay Contest will be open to all middle school students, in which the writer must share why it’s important to prepare for severe weather.

  •A Public Service Announcement Video Contest will be open to all high school students. Students may form teams of up to four people to script and produce a public service announcement illustrating why it's important to plan for severe weather, ways to plan for severe weather and include a safety message.

  •Posters and essays must be dropped off or mailed to the HCEMA office no later than January 28.  Public Service Announcements must be submitted in DVD form no later than February 28. Contest winners will be interviewed at the school campus by Henry TV 14 for the Update News program, and recognized at the Henry County Board of Commissioners meeting, along with other prizes.  The winning Public Service Announcement will air on TV14 for one month.

  Contest Entries can be mailed to: Henry County Emergency Management Agency, Attn: Shelita D. Broomfield, 526 Industrial Blvd, McDonough, GA 30253.

  Essays may also be emailed to: sbroomfield@co.henry.ga.us.  The poster and Public Service Announcements must be mailed or hand-delivered.

  Adults also have an opportunity to get in on the fun and win a NOAA weather radio!  For your chance to win simply submit a brief essay, 200 words or less, on why you want a NOAA weather radio by Thursday, February 9. It’s that simple. HCEMA is giving away two NOAA weather radios. You must be 18 or older to enter or have parental consent, and live in Henry County. No purchase is necessary.

  For complete rules and details, please visit www.henrycounty-ga.org/911.