EDITORIAL: Reflecting on last year’s storm and lessons learned

Published 9:00 am Saturday, March 23, 2024

Tuesday marks one year since an EF-1 tornado packing wind speeds of more than 100 mph swept through Baldwin County, leaving damage in its wake.

The weeks and months since have been laborious for many in the community, with rebuilding and repairs. There have also been reflective moments, a time to reassess our preparedness for our homes, businesses and the community at-large.

For many of us, the tornado was a learning experience, a time to take stock of how well we know how to respond to this type of emergency. It’s also an opportunity for emergency management to reassess.

Did the alert system work as it should? Did residents have time to prepare? What can we as a community do differently? How can we be better prepared?

Today’s edition of our paper features the first in a series of stories looking back on last year’s storm. This series is an opportunity to answer some of these questions and also update readers on where we are now, one year later. We begin with an interview with Baldwin County Emergency Management-Homeland Security Agency Director Wayne Johnson. We will also update how renovations have gone for Northside Baptist Church, local businesses that were hit as well as the local hospital.

The extensive band of severe storms that roared across Milledgeville and Baldwin County 12 months ago originated in Mississippi, where 23 people lost their lives.

We are extremely fortunate that no one died locally. Knowing that other communities couldn’t say the same is a stark reminder.

In the wake of the storm, there were several bright spots in the form of neighbors helping neighbors, agencies from surrounding counties offering assistance and volunteers helping with cleanup. Some locals reached out to Mississippi and other Georgia counties to lend a hand.

As we approach the start of another tornado season, please take some time to assess your homes, your businesses and remind family members and friends to do the same. Make sure you have a plan and that you share it with your family. Take stock of household emergency supplies and keep important documents in a safe place.

One year later, we remain fortunate that the aftermath of the March 2023 tornado was not greater.

This community is fortunate.

If you have not done so already, please make a plan and prepare.