Hurricane season has arrived in South Georgia and the City of Pooler's Floodplain Manager wants every resident to be prepared.

Know Your Risk, Know Your Options

The first step in hurricane preparedness is understanding your specific flood risk. Every neighborhood in Pooler has its own unique characteristics. Don't guess about your risk level-get the facts. Find out about your specific property by contacting the City of Pooler at 912-748-7261 or visit www. pooler-ga.gov.

Protect Your Investment with Flood Insurance

Your standard homeowner's or commercial insurance policy won't cover flood damage. Flood insurance is essential for EVERY property owner in our area.

Don't wait. Policies typically have a 30-day waiting period before they take effect, so the time to act is now, while skies are clear.

Talk to a local insurance agent to find the best rates and coverage options for your situation. Make sure your policy includes contents coverage too.

Create Your Family Emergency Plan

The best time to create a family emergency plan is before you need one. Sit down with your family and discuss these essential elements:

• Know Your Evacuation Route: Familiarize yourself with multiple routes out of Pooler.
• Establish Communication Plans: Designate an out-of-state contact person who can serve as a central communication point for scattered family members.
• Identify Safe Locations: Whether it's staying with family inland, booking a hotel, or heading to an official shelter, know where you'll go if you need to evacuate.

Build Your Emergency Survival Kit

Store these essentials in a grab and go waterproof container:

• First-aid kit with necessary medications
• One gallon of water per person per day (minimum three-day supply)
• Non-perishable food for at least three days
• Flashlights and extra batteries and battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• Cell phone chargers (consider portable battery packs)
• Cash in small bills
• Copies of important documents in waterproof bags
• Emergency contact information
• Basic tools and supplies

Safeguard Your Valuables and Memories

Create a detailed inventory of your home and belongings and store these records, along with important papers and insurance policies, in a safe location away from potential flooding-consider a safety deposit box or cloud storage.

Move irreplaceable items like family photos, heirlooms, and important documents to higher ground in your home, or better yet, to a secure off-site location.

Stay Informed and Stay Safe

The Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) manages flood warnings for our area through public broadcasts and you can find detailed information about evacuation zones, routes, and shelter locations at www.chathamemergency.org.

Remember these life-saving safety rules:

• Never drive through flooded roads
• Stay away from standing water which may be deeper than it appears
• Keep children away from flood waters, ditches, culverts, and storm drains
• Avoid unstable stream banks during and after storms
  
  

We're Here to Help

The City of Pooler is committed to keeping our community safe. City staff can make site visits and provide technical assistance to help residents address flooding and drainage concerns. Don't hesitate to reach out. They are here to help.

Hurricane preparedness isn't about living in fear-it's about taking smart, proactive steps that let you face the season with confidence.

Take action today. Your future self will thank you.