Schools plan for possible severe weather threat

With the possibility of strong winds hitting during school hours on Wednesday, districts all over metro Atlanta are preparing for the severe weather.

Kennesaw Mountain High School Assistant Principal Billy Richardson said students are familiar with the school's severe weather plan.

"We practice the drill so it becomes common knowledge to the kids no matter what happens, they know what to do," said Richardson.

Students have learned to duck and cover near the wall from a window if they're in a downstairs classroom. If they in an upstairs room, they head  downstairs and duck and over in the hallway near the lockers.

"Everyone has to work together in a state of chaos, just so that everyone can get out safely," said Catherine Nord, a student at the school.

The goal is to remove the students from any points of danger.  If, by chance, a substitute teacher isn't aware of the drill, a student likely will be.

"I'm sure that most of us and I would step up to do that," Connor Owen said. "We all know the drill. It's just a matter of getting people in the right mindset to calm down some and then do what they're supposed to do."

With 2,200 students at Kennesaw Mountain High School, administrators say they've planned for the worst and are hoping for the best.

"Just like a teenager. You never know what's going to happen. You plan for a worst case and you go with it," Richardson said.

Richardson said that parents will be kept informed via e-mail and texts and via the school's website. He also says obviously students have their own way of communicating with their parents.

A number of other school districts around metro Atlanta, including Atlanta Public Schools, DeKalb County and Fulton County Schools, all said that they also have a similar safety plan in place.

Georgia Power will also be keeping a close watch on the weather. Company officials say although they try to get the lights back on right away, there are some steps you can take in the case of a prolonged outage.

"You can maintain the temperature in your home for about 48 hours if you lose power. You should keep your doors and windows closed during an event," said Georgia Power spokesman Brian Green.

Georgia Power also recommends that you keep your refrigerator closed to keep food fresh for as long as possible, and to keep away from downed power lines.

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