Hurricane Planning. & ALERTS Cheat Sheet: Savannah, Tybee Island & the Low Country

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1. Monitoring & Alerts

• Stay Informed:

• National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecasts: www.nhc.noaa.gov

• Georgia Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) alerts: ema.ga.gov

• Local news (WSAV, WTOC) and City of Tybee social media for real-time updates.

• Sign Up for Warnings:

• Chatham County Alert System: Text “Savannah” to 888777 (alerts).

• Tybee Island ReadyAlert: www.tybeeisland‐ga.gov/emergency

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2. Evacuation Zones & Routes

• Chatham County Zones:

• Zone A (High‐Risk Coastal Areas): Barrier islands (Tybee, Wilmington).

• Zone B & C (Inland Floodplains): Savannah’s riverside neighborhoods.

• Official Evacuation Routes:

• Tybee Island: US-80 (Tybee Road) westbound toward Savannah.

• Savannah Coastal: GA-204 (Bee Road) north to I-95; I-16 west to I-75 (inland shelters).

• Low Country Inland Options: US-17 north toward South Carolina or west via I-95.

• “Know Your Zone” Lookup: www.gema.georgia.gov/evacuation‐routes

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3. Shelter & Safe Locations

• Local Shelters (Overnight Capable):

• Tybee Island Community Center: 1513 Strand Avenue (Zone A evacuees).

• Sugar Hill Elementary (Savannah): YEAR‐ROUND shelter.

• Holly Bald Primary School (Effingham County): For Zone B/C overflow.

• Pets & Service Animals:

• Chatham County Animal Services Pet-Friendly Shelters: Bring carriers, food, paperwork.

• Check “No Animal Left Behind” locations: chathamcounty.org/animal

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4. Home & Property Prep

• Hurricane “Go‐Bag”:

• 72‐hour supply of water (1 gallon/person/day) and nonperishable food.

• Battery‐powered radio, flashlights, extra batteries.

• First‐aid kit, personal medications (7+ day supply).

• Copies of critical documents (ID, insurance, medical records) in a waterproof pouch.

• Cash (ATMs/power might be down).

• Storm‐Proofing Your Home:

• Doors & Windows: Install storm shutters or pre-cut plywood (measure in advance).

• Roof & Gutters: Clear debris; secure loose roofing materials.

• Yard Cleanup: Bring in patio furniture, trash cans, potted plants.

• Sandbags: Available at police stations or public works; use along doorways/low openings.

• Elevate Valuables & Electronics:

• Move antiques, documents, and electronics to higher floors or shelves above flood level.

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5. Vehicle & Fuel

• Fuel Up Early:

• Pre‐hurricane storm: Fill gas tank; fill extra jerry cans (approved containers).

• Evacuation Vehicle Checklist:

• Spare tire, jack, and tools.

• Jumper cables, roadside emergency kit, reflective triangles.

• Map/GPS with preplanned route (cell service may be unreliable).

• Parking Safety:

• Park on high ground; avoid low‐lying areas prone to flooding.

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6. Communication Plan

• Family/Household Plan:

• Identify a central out-of-area emergency contact.

• Agree on meeting locations (primary: home if safe; secondary: designated friend or shelter).

• Local Contacts & Numbers:

• Savannah Fire & EMS (Non‐Emergency): (912) 651-6700

• Chatham County EMA Hotline: (912) 201-4500

• Tybee Island PD (Non‐Emergency): (912) 786-5421

• Campus & School Alerts:

• Register for HBCU text/email emergency alerts (SSU, SCAD, Savannah Tech).

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7. Special Considerations

• Elderly & Disabled:

• Register for Chatham County “Special Needs Registry” (912) 644-5300.

• Coordinate medical transport or accessible shelter options early.

• Medical Equipment & Oxygen:

• Secure a backup power source (battery or generator).

• Refill prescriptions, coordinate with pharmacy for early refills.

• Business Continuity:

• Back up critical data off‐site or in cloud storage.

• Create a checklist: shut off utilities, secure files, notify clients.

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8. Flood & Surge Prep

• Understand Risks:

• Storm Surge: Barrier islands (Tybee) at highest risk—seek immediate evacuation orders.

• River Flooding: Savannah River floodplain neighborhoods—monitor river gauges (USGS).

• Sandbag Locations:

• Tybee Public Works Garage (1748 Butler Avenue)

• Chatham County Public Works (E 66th Street, Savannah)

• Elevate Utilities:

• Raise HVAC units, electrical panels, and water heaters above base flood elevation.

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9. Post‐Storm Recovery

• Safety First:

• Avoid floodwaters (downed power lines, contamination).

• Use a flashlight—not candles—to inspect damaged areas.

• Damage Reporting & Assistance:

• County Damage Assessment Hotline: (912) 201-4500

• SMALL Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans: Apply online at sba.gov

• FEMA Registration: Visit disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-FEMA

• Cleanup & Repairs:

• Document damage with photos and receipts for insurance.

• Hire licensed contractors; verify credentials with Georgia State Licensing Board.

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10. Key Resources & Links

• Chatham County EMA: ema.chathamcountyga.gov

• Tybee Island Emergency Management: tybeeisland-ga.gov/emergency

• Savannah‐Hinesville NWS Forecast: weather.gov/chs

• Georgia Road Conditions: 511ga.org

• FEMA Disaster Assistance: disasterassistance.gov

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Keep this cheat sheet handy before, during, and after a hurricane.

Preparation and clear communication are your best defenses. Stay safe, and coordinate closely with local authorities.