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The mission of the Tybee Island Emergency Management Agency is to protect lives and property from the threat of all types of major emergencies and disasters both natural and manmade. This shall be accomplished in coordination, conjunction and collaboration with the Community and all City Departments to maximize the City’s potential to Prepare for, Mitigate against, Respond to and Recovery from an Emergency or Disaster.
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In addition, the local cable access channel 7 carries a presentation about hurricane preparedness issues. If you do not have local cable access, much of the information available can be found at the following URLs and telephone numbers:
Visit these URLs *before* any emergencies to help you be prepared!
Please note that in the event of a hurricane or other disaster, evacuation and emergency instructions will be posted on the City's home page as well as on the local cable access Channel 7 programming on Comcast.
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Please take a moment to download and read the following document pertaining to flooding...
Flood Information
Of special note, the City of Tybee Island participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). By doing so, local insurance agents can sell a Flood Insurance Policy, which is separate from regular property insurance, at subsidized rates set by the Federal Government. The Federal Government passed a law making it mandatory for owners to obtain a Flood Insurance policy if the structure is in Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), and the loan is federally backed. Flood Insurance can cover the structure alone or cover a combination of the structure and contents. Renters can buy coverage for contents, even if the owner does not have structural coverage. A new insurance policy is now available that assists in bringing a non-compliant structure up to the NFIP standards if the building is substantially damaged or repetitively flooded. Flood Insurance is available for structures outside the 100 year flood plain (Zone X). There is normally a 30 day waiting period before flood insurance goes into effect. Therefore, it is essential to plan ahead. Contact your insurance agent to get a flood insurance policy. And remember, your home owner’s insurance policy does not protect you from flood damage.
Tybee Island subscribes to the Community Rating System (C.R.S.), and by doing so flood insurance policy holders in the special flood hazard area receive a discount on their policy cost. Recently, the City was awarded a CRS rating increase to Class 7. This enhanced rating is due to efforts on the part of the City to improve flood mitigation activity and should result in lower flood insurance costs for residents and property owners.
Refer to the City's press release and the FEMA letter for further details.
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Upon receiving notice of Severe Weather Watches / Warning or other hazards that may pose a threat to the City, the Emergency Manager Coordinator will notify the City manager and Department Heads by e-mail, radio, phone or fax and will continue to monitor the threat providing updates in a timely manner.
Notification to residents of severe weather watches / warnings will be by television, radio or emergency alert sirens.
THUNDERSTORMS:
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH
Severe Thunderstorms are possible in the area – be alert.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
A severe thunderstorm has been reported or indicated by radar with possible hail, high winds, lighting and heavy rain – take necessary precautions immediately!
· Postpone outdoor activities
· Move to a sturdy enclosed building
· Stay away from tall trees
· Do not use any electrical appliances
· Avoid open areas such as the beach, fields, high places, trees, gazebos, picnic areas, flag poles or communication towers.
TORNADOS:
TORNADO WATCH
Tornados are possible in the area.
Remain alert for possible storms.
TORNADO WARNING
A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar – take necessary precautions immediately!
INSIDE:
· Go to a pre-designated shelter area or the lowest building level.
· Go to the center of an interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors and outside walls.
· Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck.
· Do not open windows.
A VEHICLE, TRAILER, OR MOBILE HOME:
· Get out immediately and go to the lowest floor of a sturdy, nearby building or storm shelter.
OUTSIDE WITH NO SHELTER:
· Lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands, be aware of the potential for flooding.
· Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a flat, low location.
· Never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas in a car or truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter.
· Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries.
FLOODING:
FLOOD WATCH
Flooding is possible, tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.
FLASH FLOOD WATCH
Flash flooding is possible, be prepared to move to higher ground: listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.
FLOOD WARNING
Flooding is occurring or will occur soon: if advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
A flash flood is occurring: seek higher ground on foot immediately.
· Do not walk through moving water.
· Do not drive into flooded areas.
HURRICANES:
HURRICANE
An intense tropical weather system of strong thunderstorms with a well defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 mph or higher.
HURRICANE / TROPICAL STORM WATCH
Hurricane / tropical storm condition are possible in the specified area usually within 36 hours. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.
HURRICANE / TROPICAL STORM WARNING
Hurricane / tropical storm condition are expected in the specified area usually within 24 hours.
· Refer to the City Emergency Operations Plan Annex A for detailed information.
TSUNAMI
Tsunami also known as seismic sea waves are a series of enormous waves created by an underwater disturbance such as an earthquake, landslide, volcanic eruption or meteorite.
ADVISORY
An earthquake has occurred in the Atlantic basin, which might generate a tsunami.
WATCH
A tsunami was or may have been generated, but it is at least two hours travel time to the area in Watch status.
WARNING
A tsunami was, or may have been generated, which could cause damage: therefore, people in the warned area are strongly advised to evacuate.
· Turn on your radio to learn if there is a tsunami warning if an earthquake occurs and you are in a coastal area.
· Move inland to higher ground immediately.
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The NFIP is a Federal program enabling property owners and renters in participating communities to purchase insurance protection against losses from flooding. A Flood Insurance Policy is separate from a Homeowners Policy, and there is normally a 30 day waiting period before flood insurance goes into effect.
The Community Rating System (CRS) provides a discount in the flood insurance premiums for properties in communities that participate in the CRS and implement floodplain management programs that exceed minimum NFIP requirements.
Tybee Island participates in the NFIP and has a CRS rating of Class 7 which qualifies properties for a 15% discount in the premium cost of flood insurance for NFIP policies.
Effective May 1, 2008, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has instituted a new policy: flood insurance policies for buildings that are rated as having the lowest floor one foot or more below the base flood elevation (BSE) will no longer be eligible for the community’s CRS discount.
It is recommended that you contact your insurance agent either to purchase flood insurance or to inquire whether your property is affected by this new FEMA policy.
To educate yourself further on NFIP and flood risk on Tybee, visit the NFIP home page at www.floodsmart.gov. Using the links here, you can rate your insurance risk, get broad estimates of flood insurance premiums, and get a listing of flood insurance agents in the area. You will also find links to visit FEMA’s Map Service Center to view official Tybee flood information, check out the zone of your home, and get a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) to see how your risk is determined.
Tybee residences and businesses are basically required to *have* some sort of flood insurance. With these tools, you can make sure you are getting an appropriate level of insurance at an appropriate rate.
At FEMA’s Map Service Center, the maps will show an A or V designation, which means flood insurance is required by FEMA regulations. The elevation listed shows what your occupied, residential elevation above sea level must be to qualify for insurance, discounts, and so on. The most accurate ways to determine your elevation are, in order, by contacting a surveyor, the Tybee Emergency Management office, or the Zoning Department. You can also view a topographic map from the US Geological Survey at http://store.usgs.gov/. A FIRM is free at the Map Service Center and will give you all the information needed to give an insurance agent to get you a quote. The USGS Topographical Map Locator can give you a bit more detail – search for Tybee’s ZIP code, 31328. You will find Tybee right on a dividing line, so you may need view two maps to find your property on the Island.
Another excellent resource for emergency preparedness information is at the “Federal Alliance for Safe Homes” web site, www.flash.org. Be sure to check out their information on flood and hurricane safety!
Further Information:
912-786-4573 X 112
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