Closer look at... one awesome neighborhood

UPDATE #2: And then they made it all the way to People Magazine :)

UPDATE #1: And... The Chainsaw Gang gets the AJC treatment! http://www.myajc.com/news/local/torpy-large-operation-irma-chainsaw-gangs-and-the-yearning-help/bj9qzlgsOc5aIrGYSk3Y5N/ 

 ORIGINAL POST (9/12/17)

photo by Katie, via Facebook

Zac, Stephen, Jesse, Thom among others... revving up the chainsaws, clearing streets, warning folks about downed trees... it's the chainsaw gang :)

Stephen and Zac on Closer Look, NPR
http://news.wabe.org/post/closer-look-georgia-recovers-tropical-storm-irma
and
http://news.wabe.org/post/neighborhood-group-focuses-helping-one-another-after-irma-passes

Jesse on http://www.wsbtv.com/video

On Facebook, offers of help have gone from tarps and buckets to sharing freezer space with those who are still without power to "have axe, will travel." And it all began before with storm, with offers to help if anyone needed assistance moving furniture outdoor in advance of the storm and shared ladders to ensure gutters were clean and ready for the downpour. Good peoples!!!

Thank you, neighbors, for your sense of humor, your willingness to help, and your inordinate fondness for chainsaws :)

Our thanks also go to GA Power employees and DeKalb County emergency responders for being out in this weather, working hard to keep the lights on and the roads clear. Stay safe!

Hurricane Irma: closings, weather links, etc [Sept. 11]

Oh, Irma, must you?!

UPDATE: MARTA shuts down service for Monday: http://itsmarta.com/marta-suspends-bus-rail-mon11th.aspx

1)  A very handy map for tracking Irma: http://google.org/crisismap/2017-irma

1a) Weather.com's hourly forecast: https://weather.com/weather/hourbyhour/l/30033

2) DeKalb County closures--school systems, universities, etc: http://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/schools-closing-ahead-of-hurricane-irma-impact-in-georgia/605665379

3) DeKalb County Preparedness and Safety Tips: https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/news/updated-hurricane-irma-preparation-tips

4) County Announcements re: County Services
via Commissioner Rader

Hurricane Irma Update - Closings for tomorrow, Sanitation Changes

DeKalb County Offices, Facilities to Close during Hurricane Irma Residents urged to shelter in place

DeKalb officials are urging residents to exercise caution after the National Weather Service issued a tropical storm warning with tropical storm force winds and rain arriving as early as Monday morning for DeKalb County and the Atlanta area.

The DeKalb Emergency Management Agency is urging residents to shelter in place during the event and stay off the roads to allow emergency crews to respond to the anticipated calls for downed trees and power lines.

As a result of anticipated inclement weather, DeKalb County offices, senior centers, libraries and recreation centers will be closed Monday and Tuesday.

Scheduled Tuesday meetings will be rescheduled for this coming Thursday.

County employees who are not required to deal with the emergency conditions do not have to report to work.

All sanitation service will be suspended Monday. Customers are urged to secure their garbage containers during the high winds.

Employees under the direction of elected officials other than DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond should contact their supervisors about their work schedules.

The DeKalb County courts will be closed Monday. A decision about Tuesday’s schedule has not been made.

All DeKalb County Board of Health locations will be closed Monday and Tuesday.

The DeKalb County School District and City Schools of Decatur will be closed Monday and Tuesday. Atlanta Public Schools will be closed Monday.

DeKalb Sanitation Suspends Collection Service due to Hurricane Irma Residential and commercial service to run at least one day late 
In anticipation of inclement weather due to Hurricane Irma, the DeKalb County Sanitation Division announces the suspension of sanitation collection service for residential and commercial customers on Monday, Sept. 11. Information on collection schedules for the remainder of the week will be provided on Monday, September 11th.

The Sanitation Division’s administrative office will be closed on Monday, Sept. 11, and Tuesday, September 12th, reopening during normal business hours on Wednesday, September 13th.

The Seminole Road Landfill and North, Central and East Transfer Stations also will be closed on Monday, September 11th. Information on reopening the landfill and transfer stations will be provided on Monday, September 11th.

The Sanitation Division urges residents to stay home and off the roads due to anticipated high winds and dangerous road conditions.

Stay safe!!!

Jeff Rader

Your winter forecast

Temperature - U.S. Winter Outlook: 2015-2016 
(Credit: NOAA)

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), southeastern states should brace for a winter season that could be 33% cooler and 50% wetter than usual.

Precipitation - U.S. Winter Outlook: 2015-2016 
(Credit: NOAA)

For the whole winter outlook, see http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2015/101515-noaa-strong-el-nino-sets-the-stage-for-2015-2016-winter-weather.html

Water boil water advisory lifted

Per https://twitter.com/ItsInDeKalb, 

The DeKalb Board of Health has been issuing updates through its twitter feed: https://twitter.com/healthydekalb, including separate water boil advisories for residential use and food establishments.

While the issue of potable water safety and emergency preparedness are still fresh on our minds, these are some great links from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Personal Preparation and Storage of Safe Water: This link covers how to prepare for emergencies and how to sanitize water using heat and household (unscented) chlorine bleach. Regarding preparedness, they recommend that households

- "Store at least 1 gallon of water per day for each person and each pet. You should consider storing more water than this for hot climates, for pregnant women, and for persons who are sick.
- Store at least a 3-day supply of water for each person and each pet (try to store a 2-week supply if possible).
- Observe the expiration date for store-bought water; replace other stored water every six months.
- Store a bottle of unscented liquid household chlorine bleach to disinfect your water and to use for general cleaning and sanitizing."

• Hygiene and Handwashing: how to maintain hygiene when the running water supply is unavailable or compromised

Also, if you have not done so already, sign up for DeKalb County's Code Red alert system to receive weather and other emergency alerts directly to your phone.

National Emergency Alert System Test [Nov. 9]

A nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System will occur on Wednesday, November 9 at
2:00 PM EST via TV and radio stations.

This will be a test, this will only be a test! The test will interrupt radio and television transmission only.

See FEMA's website for details.

Emergency Preparedness [Sept. 10]

From MANA resident Jo Mitchell:

Announcing the upcoming 2nd Annual DeKalb Co. Preparedness Festival on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 10 AM – 3 PM. This year the festival will be located behind the First Baptist Church of Tucker at 5073 LaVista Road, Tucker. There will be food, music, children's activities, and displays by the professional and volunteer organizations who respond in a disaster. You’ll find information on fire safety, crime prevention, disaster preparedness, and pet and large animal crisis care. This festival is presented by DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis and the DeKalb Emergency Management Agency (DEMA). For more info: http://www.co.dekalb.ga.us/public-safety/dema-current-news.html

Click on the image below for full-size flyer.

If you have questions for Jo, you may reach her at  404-633-7007.

CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) is a program that trains citizens to assist in emergency response. Additional information on the program is available. MANA is encouraging its members to attend this activity and consider additional training. For example, emergency response plans could be coordinated through our Neighborhood Watch program.

More info on Dekalb Co. Emergency Management here --->This link includes additional information on the actual course as well as an application form.