Your Emergency Alerts

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
2700 Suwannee Canal Road, Folkston, GA 31537
Phone: 912 496 7366 ext 233
Fax: 912 496 7991
www.fws.gov/okefenokee

For Immediate Release
Honey Prairie Fire Update:
Refuge Set to Reopen the Sill and Three Sites for Canoe Camping

No smoke has been seen in three weeks along the two mile perimeter where the Honey Prairie fire crept underground burning peat and roots in a hardwood swamp on the west side of the refuge. It is still too early to call the fire out since it is possible it could flare back up. According to refuge manager Curt McCasland, “We recently responded to a small fire on the east side of the refuge. Firefighters found a burning pile left over from an area burned in July.” He added, “Given the ability of fire to smolder through the winter in the wood/debris pile, we will need to continue to monitor the fire perimeter and look for other areas where this may still be occurring.”

With the fire settled down, the Suwannee River Sill, an earthen dam near the west entrance of the refuge and Stephen C. Foster State Park, will reopen for driving, hiking, bicycling, and fishing starting February 21. The Sill will be open from sunrise to sunset.

Motorists can drive 1¼ miles out on new pavement to the first water control structure. Beyond that, you can walk 3⅓ miles out to Pine Island, probably without getting your feet wet crossing the new breeches in the Sill. Visitors eager to try out the new boat ramp may need to wait until the water level comes up. On February, 16 the Suwannee River gage at Hwy 441 in Fargo, GA had a reading of 3.8 cubic feet per second. In the past 79 years the average for this date is 1,410 cubic feet per second.

Refuge staff and volunteers have cleared more obstacles from the Suwannee Canal and cut down hazardous trees at Coffee Bay and Mixons Hammock. They also replaced the burned toilet at Coffee Bay. The refuge is just about set to reopen three campsites.

Coffee Bay, Canal Run, and Mixons Hammock will be open for camping on March 1. Starting February 21, campers can make reservations by calling (912) 496-3331 between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m., Monday through Friday (excluding federal holidays). Reservations can be made only by phone; no walk-in registrations will be accepted. Groups are limited to 20 people. To accommodate the high demand for few sites, all trips will be limited to one night. Unfortunately, the remaining overnight platforms will remain closed due to extreme low water conditions.

Normally, reservations could be made only up to two months before the start of the trip. With the extreme drought, the trails and shelters were closed due to low water levels. To help prevent cancellations while water levels are low and fire danger continues to be high, the refuge will only accept reservations up to two weeks in advance of a trip.

To provide more opportunities for camping during low water levels, Mixons Hammock, usually restricted to organized youth groups, and Coffee Bay, a day use shelter, will be available for camping. Since there are only three sites open, Mixons Hammock and Coffee Bay will be open first-come first-served to any party that makes a reservation.

02-17-12
11:00 hrs

Have you ever looked at the sky and thought, ‘that’s a strange cloud what is it?’ or have you ever been concerned that there could be bad weather coming and the sky looks strange?
Well we have an answer for you, come to our next SkyWarn class and find out this and a whole lot more. The great news is that it’s free.
Come and sign up for the next class, here are the details:

It’s to be held Monday April 23, 2012 5:30 – 8 pm
at the Ware County Public Safety Bldg.,
3395 Harris Road, Waycross, GA  31503

Please contact to register: Perry Blackburn
pblackburn@warecounty.com
912 287 4454
912 550 5607

Come and have a great and very informative class and learn a whole lot more.

02-16-12
9:30hrs

Thunderstorms affect relatively small areas when compared with hurricanes and winter storms. Despite their small size, all thunderstorms are dangerous because they can produce strong winds, lightning, tornadoes, hail and flash flooding. The typical thunderstorm is 15 miles in diameter and lasts an average of 30 minutes.

Straight line winds can reach speeds excess of 100 mph and produce damage similar to a tornado. These winds occur, on average, 19 days per year in Georgia. These events have occurred in every month of the year, but are most common in the spring and summer months, peaking in July.

Here is some information to help you recognize severe weather, develop a plan, and be ready to act when threatening weather approaches:

To prepare for a thunderstorm, you should do the following:

• Ware County Citizens can prepare by signing up for Code Red. Code Red is a free emergency notification service that is provided to the citizen’s of Waycross and Ware County. To sign up for Code Red go to one of the following web sites or call 912 287 4394. www.warecounty.com – www.yourwarelocal.com – www.waycrossga.com
• Remove dead or rotting trees and branches that could fall and cause injury or damage during a severe thunderstorm.
• Remember the 30/30 lightning safety rule: Go indoors if, after seeing lightning, you cannot count to 30 before hearing thunder. Stay indoors for 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder.

What you should do if a thunderstorm is likely in your area:

• Postpone outdoor activities.
• Get inside a home, building, or hard top automobile (not a convertible). Although you may be injured if lightning strikes your car, you are much safer inside a vehicle than outside.
• Remember, rubber-soled shoes and rubber tires provide NO protection from lightning. However, the steel frame of a hard-topped vehicle provides increased protection if you are not touching metal.
• Secure outdoor objects that could blow away or cause damage.
• Shutter windows and secure outside doors. If shutters are not available, close window blinds, shades, or curtains.
• Avoid showering or bathing. Plumbing and bathroom fixtures can conduct electricity.
• Use a corded telephone only for emergencies. Cordless and cellular telephones are safe to use.
• Unplug appliances and other electrical items such as computers and turn off air conditioners.
• Power surges from lightning can cause serious damage.
• Use your battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio for updates from local officials.

Avoid the following:

• Natural lightning rods such as a tall, isolated tree in an open area.
• Hilltops, open fields, the beach, or a boat on the water.
• Isolated sheds or other small structures in open areas.
• Anything metal—tractors, farm equipment, motorcycles, golf carts, golf clubs, and bicycles.

For more information, contact GEMA at 1-800-TRY-GEMA, Ware County EMA or visit these Web sites: www.gema.state.ga.us – www.srh.noaa.gov/ffc – www.yourwarelocal.com  or www.redcross.org.

02-11-12
11:30 hrs

Tornadoes are violently rotating columns of air, extending from a thunderstorm that is in contact with the ground. Tornadoes can vary in shape, size and intensity. Most tornadoes are weak, lasting a few minutes and producing winds of less than 100 mph. However, a few tornadoes are strong or even violent. These tornadoes last from 20 minutes to over an hour and can produce winds of between 100 and 300 mph.

“The best thing to do to protect yourself and your family is to have a plan of action in place before a threatening tornado develops,” said Ware County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Jonathan Daniell.

Prepare a Home Tornado Plan

• Ware County Citizens can prepare by signing up for Code Red. Code Red is a free emergency notification service that is provided to the citizen’s of Waycross and Ware County. To sign up for Code Red go to one of the following web sites or call 912 287 4394. www.warecounty.com – www.yourwarelocal.com - www.waycrossga.com
• Pick a place where family members could gather if a tornado is headed your way. It could be your basement or, if there is no basement, a center hallway, bathroom, or closet on the lowest floor. Keep this place uncluttered.
• If you are in a high-rise building, you may not have enough time to go to the lowest floor. Pick a place in a hallway in the center of the building.
  Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit Containing

First aid kit and essential medications.

• Canned food and can opener.
• At least three gallons of water per person.
• Protective clothing, bedding, or sleeping bags.
• Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
• Special items for infant, elderly, or disabled family members.
• Written instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas, and water if authorities advise you to do so. (Remember, you’ll need a professional to turn natural gas service back on.)

Stay Tuned for Storm Warnings

• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio and television stations for updated storm information.
• Know what a tornado WATCH and WARNING means:
• A tornado WATCH means a tornado is possible in your area.
• A tornado WARNING means a tornado has been sighted and may be headed for your area. Go to safety immediately.
• Tornado WATCHES and WARNINGS are issued by the National Weather Service.

When a Tornado WATCH is Issued

• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio and television stations for further updates.
• Be alert to changing weather conditions. Blowing debris or the sound of an approaching tornado may alert you. Many people say it sounds like a freight train.

When a Tornado WARNING is Issued

• If you are inside, go to the safe place you picked to protect yourself from glass and other flying objects. The tornado may be approaching your area.
• If you are outside, hurry to the basement of a nearby sturdy building or lie flat in a ditch or low-lying area.
• If you are in a car or mobile home, get out immediately and head for safety.

After the Tornado Passes

• Watch out for fallen power lines and stay out of the damaged area.
• Listen to the radio for information and instructions.
• Use a flashlight to inspect your home for damage.
• Do not use candles at any time.

02-10-12
9:30 hrs