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Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find information that might help you understand how to find things or learn about information you might need to know about your city or town.

Utilities

15

  • Administration Building 327 N. Ashley St. 1st Floor Valdosta, GA 31601 Ph: 229-671-2500
    Utilities

  • Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
    Utilities

    • Drivers License
    • Lease Agreement (renting)
    • Sign a User Agreement
    • Social Security Number
    Utilities

  • A refundable $100 deposit is applied to your first months billing. The deposit is refunded after a year in service with good payment history.

    Utilities

  • After you have been in service for a year, with a good payment history, you can request to have your deposit refunded to you, or your deposit will stay on file until you close your account at which time the deposit is applied to your outstanding account balance and the difference refunded or you will have a balance due on your closing account statement.
    Utilities

  • If you sign up for service before 3 p.m., water will be turned on that same day.
    Utilities

  • Water / sewer billing is based on the amount of water consumption that you use. Please see Utility Rates.
    Utilities

  • Contact the after hour emergency number at 229-671-2500.
    Utilities

  • Contact the Lowndes County Utility Office at 229-671-2500 and report the problem.

    You may also want to contact a plumber. Lowndes County Utility Department will check the county's main sewer lines to make sure there is proper flow in our lines and no blockage. If our lines are clear this indicates that the customer service lines may have a blockage and the customer would be responsible for contacting a plumber to unplug their service lines.
    Utilities

  • Contact the Lowndes County Utility Office at 229-671-2500 and report the problem. Sometimes it is our customers that alert us to problems in the field that we may not know about.
    Utilities

  • We encourage our customers to always check the readings on their monthly billing statements with the readings that are on the actual water meter. Keeping in mind that a reading may have been taken on one day and it takes a couple of days to get the billing statements to our customers so there may be additional usage within those days, but the readings should be pretty close to what is reported on your billing.
    Utilities

  • Lowndes County has radio read water meters, which means that our meter reader has a computerized system in their vehicle and as they drive down a street they are able to electronically (radio waves) pick up meter readings without actually looking at the individual meters.
    Utilities

  • Unless you have a faulty water meter, if you use the same consumption that your neighbor does, your water bills will be the same.
    Utilities

  • We encourage our customers to understand how their water meter works. Customers can perform a simple meter calibration test to see if the meter is recording the correct amount of water usage. Fill a bucket with 10 gallons of water and take another reading on your water meter and the difference from the first reading and the reading after you fill the bucket should be 10 gallons. Faulty meters will give zero readings. If the meter is not registering a reading for 3 months the Utility Department will request to have the faulty water meter changed out.
    Utilities

  • A noticeable taste can come from the chlorine that is added to the water to kill germs. A rotten-egg odor is caused by a smelly chemical in the water called hydrogen sulfide, sulfur water, this is a natural product in our water supply that comes from the Floridian Aquifer. Metallic tastes can come from copper that has dissolved from copper pipe and from rusted iron pipes that are used for plumbing inside the customer's home.
    Utilities

Hydrant Flushing

10

  • The County’s water distribution system is a complex network of pipes and storage reservoirs where sediment or deposits may naturally accumulate over time. If not removed, these materials may cause water quality deterioration, taste and odor problems, or discoloration of the water. Water may also stagnate in lesser used parts of the distribution system. This can result in degraded water quality.
    Hydrant Flushing

  • No, the Fire Department is required to flush hydrants when they are testing hydrants to make sure adequate flow and pressure is available.
    Hydrant Flushing

  • If you see a county utility crew flushing hydrants, please drive carefully.
    Hydrant Flushing

  • If the tap water is used during flushing, it could come out full of sediment and discoloration. If you encounter discolored water, shut the water off and wait several minutes. After waiting, check the clarity by running cold water for a few minutes allowing new water to work its way into your pipes. If not, wait a few more minutes and check again. In some cases, you may experience slight discoloration for a few hours. This discoloration only affects the appearance of the water; it does not affect the taste or water quality.
    Hydrant Flushing

  • Check your faucet and washer screens for trapped debris.
    Hydrant Flushing

  • When a hydrant is opened, there will always be temporary incidences of discolored water containing fine sediment particles. There is no health hazard associated with discolored water. Allow a few hours for discoloration to dissipate. To verify the water has settled, allow your cold water tap to run a few minutes. If the discoloration persists for more than 24 hours, please contact our County Utility Department at 229-671-2500.
    Hydrant Flushing

  • It is recommended that water users wait until the water has cleared before using it for potable purposes.
    Hydrant Flushing

  • The County Fire Department also conducts routine “flow testing” of fire hydrants. This is an important effort toward ensuring hydrant effectiveness for fire control purposes. Such testing is a separate effort independent from the Utility Department flushing program and assists us with knowing if our fire hydrants are working properly.
    Hydrant Flushing

  • Water contains minerals and these minerals react with the inside of the pipe to produce the by-product. This chemical reaction between the pipe and water is a normal and natural process. This process can occur on the inside of the pipe and prevent an adequate volume of water flow. The flushing process removes much of this by-product.
    Hydrant Flushing

  • This will cause “water hammer”, which is a pressure surge or wave when water in motion is forced to stop or change direction suddenly. The pressure wave can cause major problems, from noise and vibrations to pipe collapse. In home plumbing, this is experienced as a loud bang resembling a hammering noise. Utility Department and Fire Department employees have received instruction on how to operate fire hydrant valves slowly to avoid water hammer.
    Hydrant Flushing

Animal Welfare

8

  • Please view our Services Provided page.
    Animal Welfare

  • Animal Shelter 337 Gil Harbin Industrial Blvd. Valdosta, GA 310601 Directions

    Ph: 229-671-2760

    Reclaim Hours Tuesday - Friday Noon - 4:45 p.m.
    Saturday Noon - 4 p.m.

    Adoption Hours Tuesday - Friday Noon - 4:30 p.m.
    Saturday Noon - 3 p.m.

    Animal Drop Off Hours Monday - Saturday 8 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
    Animal Welfare

  • If you have lost your pet you must come to the shelter to identify it. We cannot tell you over the phone if your animal is here. We hold animals for 3 business days. Every effort is made to contact possible pet owners. Animals with rabies tags, ID tags, and microchips are traced to the last registered owner. If your contact information is not current, please call the microchip company or your veterinarian to update your information.
    Animal Welfare

  • Please visit our Adoptions page.
    Animal Welfare

    • If the animal is located in the city, please call city sanitation at 229-259-3585.
    • If the animal is located in the county, please call county sanitation 229-671-2700.
    Animal Welfare

  • To protect the health and safety of its citizens, this state and county has rabies laws. We live in an area where wild and domestic animals have been found to have rabies on occasion. Bats, Raccoons, fox, cats, dogs, and ferrets all can be rabies carriers and fall under the rabies control laws. However, rodents, opossum, squirrel, and rabbits are not likely to be carriers of rabies and exposure of your pet to these animals is not an emergency.

    All dogs, cats, and ferrets must have an annual vaccination by a licensed Veterinarian, and display the current rabies tag on their body. If your animal has been exposed to a possible carrier, an exposure report must be made and quarantine procedures followed. Please call the shelter at 229-671-2760 and dial 0.
    Animal Welfare

  • Call your veterinarian for a replacement rabies tag. Harnesses are a good way to keep a tag on your dog. If tying out your dog, use 2 collars, one further down the neck for tag and one above it to tie out with. If he breaks free of the collar above he will still have the collar below with a tag. We can trace the animal back to you with a current rabies tag on. Try using a heavy key chain ring to attach the tag to the collar.
    Animal Welfare

  • Yes, Low-Cost Spay / Neuter Program sponsored by the Humane Society of Valdosta / Lowndes County and the Valdosta Veterinary. Pets may be spayed or neutered as young as 3 months. Call 229-242-SPAY (7729) for more information.
    Animal Welfare

Property Assessments

4

  • Please view the Property Values page.
    Property Assessments

  • Homestead, School, Disabled Veterans, & Preferential Agriculture
    Property tax is one of the primary sources of revenue for Lowndes County. It is used to fund police and fire services, education, roads, bridges, water, parks, and other county services. The basis for property tax is the fair market value of the property, which is established on January 1 of each year. The tax is levied on the assessment value, which by law is established at 40% of fair market value. The amount of tax is determined by the millage rate. One mill of tax is equal to $1 per $1,000 of assessed value. We accept applications year round. Applications for the current year must be made prior to March 1 of the year the application is being sought. Once you have applied for an exemption, you do not need to reapply unless you move to another location.

    Special Exemptions
    You may be eligible for conservation use or preferential agricultural assessment exemption if you are in good faith agricultural / forest production. This would include producing plants, trees, fowl or animals, or the production of aquaculture, horticulture, floriculture, forestry, dairy, livestock, poultry and apiarian products. With both programs, you enter into a 10-year covenant with Lowndes County whereby you agree to continue your property in agricultural or forestry production.

    Residential Transitional Exemption
    If you live in an area that is in a transition from residential to commercial use, and it is affecting the value of your property, you may apply for a residential transitional assessment covenant. This is also a 10-year covenant. For all 3, apply between January 2 and April 1.

    For additional information view the Exemptions page.
    Property Assessments

  • Basis for Appeal
    After the assessors establish a new value on a piece of property, the taxpayer is sent an assessment notice. The assessment informs you of the new proposed valuation of your property. You have 45 days to appeal the new valuation if you feel its incorrect. The appeal must be filed in writing. Late appeals are invalid. Basis for appeal After you have given careful consideration to the value placed on your property and if you feel its incorrect, your appeal should be based on one of the following areas of appeal:
    • Taxability: Is the property taxable or does it qualify for exempt status?
    • Uniformity: Does the property value compare with the value of similar properties?
    • Value: Is the property value too high or too low?

    Appeals Process
    When you file an appeal, the Board of Assessors reviews it and determines whether a change in the valuation is warranted. If no change is made, it will then go to the next level of appeal, either to arbitration or to the Board of Equalization but the taxpayer must choose 1 at the time the original appeal is filed. If either side disagrees with the decision of the arbitrator(s) or the Board of Equalization, the taxpayer or the assessor may proceed to the next level of appeal, Lowndes County Superior Court.

    For more information view the Assessment Appeals page.
    Property Assessments

  • The tax rate, or millage, is set annually. A tax rate of 1 mill represents a tax liability of $1 per $1,000 of assessed value.

    Example
    The assessed value--40% of the fair market value--of a house that is worth $100,000 is $40,000. In a county where the millage rate is 25 mills the property tax on that house would be $1,000; $25 for every $1,000 of assessed value or $25 multiplied by 40 is $1,000.
    Property Assessments

Tax Commissioner

14

  • Property tax is an ad valorem tax, which means according to value. Ad valorem tax, the tax collected by the tax commissioner, is based on the value of the taxable property in the county.
    Tax Commissioner

  • All real estate and personal property are taxable unless law has exempted the property. (OCGA 48-5-3) Real property is land and generally anything that is erected, growing or affixed to the land; personal property is everything that can be owned that is not real estate. Personal property typically consists of inventory and fixtures used in conducting business, boats, aircraft, farm machinery, motor vehicles and mobile homes. Your household property is not normally taxable.
    Tax Commissioner

  • The Board of Assessors and their staff have the responsibility of determining the value of property in Lowndes County. Each year between January 1 and April 1 every property owner has the ability to declare a proposed value for their property. (OCGA 48-5-9) These values are declared in the manner of 'filing a return'. Returns for real estate are filed in the Tax Assessor's office and returns for personal property are filed with the Board of Assessors. The Board of Assessors will review your proposed value and if they disagree, an assessment notice with the Boards' value will be mailed to you.
    Tax Commissioner

  • Taxpayers may challenge an assessment by Lowndes County Board of Tax Assessors by appealing to Lowndes County Board of Equalization or to an arbitrator(s) within 45 days from the date of the assessment notice. Once the county board of equalization or the arbitrator(s) has rendered a decision, the taxpayer may continue their appeal to the superior court by mailing or filing with Lowndes County Board of Tax Assessors a written notice wishing to continue the appeal. For more information about the appeal process, visit the Lowndes County Tax Assessors page.
    Tax Commissioner

  • Assessed value is defined as being 40% of the fair market value. Property in Georgia is taxed on the assessed value.
    Tax Commissioner

  • The tax rate, or millage rate, is set annually by the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners and the Lowndes County Board of Education. A tax rate of 1 mill represents a tax liability of 1 dollar per $1,000 of assessed value. Each governing authority estimates their total revenue from other sources. This figure is subtracted from their overall budgetary needs, and then a millage rate is set that will generate the necessary revenues to fulfill budgetary requirements.
    Tax Commissioner

  • Once the property owner and the Board of Assessors have come to terms with an appropriate value, this value is provided to the tax commissioner for tax bill calculation. To calculate a tax bill, you must first deduct any exemptions that may apply from the assessed value; thus generating a net assessed (taxable) value. Next you multiply the net assessed value by the millage rate.
    Tax Commissioner

  • The HTRC (Homeowner's Tax Relief Credit) is the result of the homeowner's tax relief enacted by the Governor and the General Assembly of the State of Georgia in 1999. This credit only applied to homesteaded property. This state tax relief grant that funded an increased homestead exemption for homeowners for the last several years will not be available in 2009. Declining state revenues during the current recession means there is no money for the State to give the tax relief to homeowners. This will mean a property tax increase of $200 to $300 on the 2009 tax bills for many Georgia homeowners. The grant appropriated by the General Assembly and the Governor for the last several years to counties, cities and schools had given tax relief to homeowners in the form of a credit on their tax bills.
    Tax Commissioner

  • Taxes for real estate and business personal property are normally due in Lowndes County on November 15 each year. Mobile / modular homes are due May 1 of each year and motor vehicles are due based on the owners' birthday. After the due date, for real estate and business personal property, interest at the rate of 1% per month is charged after November 15. Additionally, a penalty of 10% will apply to all taxes that are not paid within 90 days of the deadline, however, homesteaded property with a tax liability of less than $500 does not receive the 90 day penalty. If the property taxes remain unpaid, the tax commissioner has the right and responsibility to levy on the property for non-payment. Of course we consider this a last resort for tax collection and prefer to use other collection methods.
    Tax Commissioner

  • Yes. There are several exemptions and special assessment programs available that may apply to your property. The most common are the homestead exemption for real estate and for business personal property there is the Freeport Exemption. Contact the Lowndes County Tax Assessors Office for details of the available special assessment programs. Contact the Lowndes County Tax Commissioner's Office for details of the available Homestead Exemptions.
    Tax Commissioner

  • Homestead exemption is the system developed by the State of Georgia that exempts from taxation a specified amount of assessed value of your home. You may apply for homestead exemption in the Tax Commissioner's Office. To qualify you must both own and occupy your home as of January 1. Once you have qualified for homestead exemption and remain in the same house you do not need to reapply. However, if you move, you are required to reapply for the exemption for the new location. Application for homestead exemption may be submitted any time during the year but must be received before March 1 of the taxable year to qualify for the exemption that year. If received after March 1, the tax assessor will activate the exemption the following year. When the homeowner reaches the age of 65 years old, they may apply for an additional homestead exemption.
    Tax Commissioner

  • You can obtain a copy of your warranty deed from the Clerk of Superior Court record center. This office is located: Lowndes County Courthouse 100 Central St. Valdosta, GA 31601
    Tax Commissioner

  • Yes. Mobile / modular homes are considered personal property and are taxable in the State of Georgia. Tax must be paid annually with a due date of May 1. The owner of any mobile / modular home located in Lowndes County must file a return and obtain a location permit. In order to obtain this permit the mobile home tax for the current year must be paid in full.
    Tax Commissioner

    • To build and maintain county roads
    • To build and repair public buildings and bridges
    • To pay expenses of courts, county jail and law enforcement
    • To provide for fire protection
    • To provide for public health and sanitation
    • To support administration of county government and the public school system

    This is an abbreviated list; please see Georgia Code for a complete list. (OCGA 48-5-220)
    Tax Commissioner

State Court

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  • Please contact the Lowndes County Clerk's Office at 229-671-3320.
    State Court

  • If you have a citation please contact the Lowndes County Clerk's Office at 229-671-3320 to find out your citation payment due date and court date. If you have a non-jury or jury trial court date please contact the Solicitor's Office at 229-671-2510.
    State Court

  • Please contact the Solicitor's Office at 229-671-2510.
    State Court

  • Please contact the Georgia Department of Driver Services and click on Pay Reinstatement / Super Speeder fee(s) in the box labeled Online Services or call GA Department of Driver Services.

    Driver's License Information
    Ph: 678-413-8400
    Ph: 678-413-8500
    Ph: 678-413-8600
    Ph: 866-754-3687 (Inside Georgia but outside the Metro Atlanta Area)

    Hours
    Monday - Friday
    7 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
    State Court

  • Please call 855-862-8851 or go online pay your ticket online. You must have your citation number and fine amount. If you do not have this information please contact the Lowndes County Clerk’s Office at 229-671-2905.

    State Court

  • Please contact the Lowndes County Clerk's Office at 229-671-3320 and they will help you.
    State Court

  • Please contact the Lowndes County Clerk's Office at 229-671-3320 and they will be able to help you with this.
    State Court

  • Please submit a request by mail to:
    Lowndes County State Court
    P.O. Box 1349
    Valdosta, GA 31603

    Please include:
    • Address you would like your certified copies sent to
    • Charges
    • Contact number
    • Date of birth
    • Date of charge
    • Your full name (including maiden name and/or any alias)

    There will be a minimum charge of $7.50 per case (E.g. If you request certified copies of 2 cases the fee would be $15 or if you request 2 certified copies of 1 case the total would be $15). Please allow 3-5 business days to process your request.
    State Court

Animal Welfare-Microchipping

8

  • It won’t hurt any more than a routine vaccination – having a microchip implanted doesn’t even require anesthetic. The procedure is performed at your veterinarian’s office and is simple and similar to administering a vaccine or a routine shot. The microchip comes preloaded in a sterile applicator and is injected under the loose skin between the shoulder blades. The process takes only a few seconds, and your pet will not react any more than he would to a vaccination.
    Animal Welfare-Microchipping

  • Pet microchips are not tracking devices and do not work like global positioning devices (GPS). They are radio-frequency identification (RFID) implants that provide permanent ID for your pet. Because they use RFID technology, microchips do not require a power source like a GPS. When a microchip scanner is passed over the pet, the microchip gets enough power from the scanner to transmit the microchip’s ID number. Since there’s no battery and no moving parts, there’s nothing to keep charged, wear out, or replace. The microchip will last your pet’s lifetime.
    Animal Welfare-Microchipping

  • All pets should wear collar tags imprinted with their name and the phone number of their pet parent, but only a microchip provides permanent ID that cannot fall off, be removed, or become impossible to read.
    Animal Welfare-Microchipping

  • The average cost to have a microchip implanted by a veterinarian is around $45, which is a one–time fee and often includes registration in a pet recovery database. If your pet was adopted from a shelter or purchased from a breeder, your pet may already have a microchip. Consult your pet adoption paperwork, or have your pet scanned for a microchip at your next vet visit to reveal the unique microchip ID number and register it.
    Animal Welfare-Microchipping

  • Both cats and dogs need to be microchipped. Cats often do not wear collars, and may not have any other form of ID. A recent study showed that less than 2% of cats without microchips were returned home. However, if a cat is microchipped, the return-to-owner rate is 20 times higher than if the cat was not microchipped.
    Animal Welfare-Microchipping

  • Microchips carry only a unique identification number. If your pet gets lost and is taken to a vet clinic or animal shelter, your pet will be scanned for a microchip to reveal his unique ID number. That number will be called into the pet recovery service, and you will be contacted using the contact information on file with your pet’s microchip. **It is vital to keep your contact information up to date so that you can be reached.
    Animal Welfare-Microchipping

  • A microchip will normally last the lifetime of your pet because it is composed of biocompatible materials that will not degenerate over time. The HomeAgain® microchip has the Bio-Bond™ patented anti–migration feature to help ensure the chip stays where it’s implanted. Also, since microchips require no power source and have no moving parts, there’s nothing that can wear out and need to be replaced. Pet parents can also check to make sure their pet’s microchip is still working by asking a vet to scan it during their pet’s next checkup.
    Animal Welfare-Microchipping

  • A microchip is only the first step! You must register your pet’s microchip to give your pet the best protection.
    Animal Welfare-Microchipping

Alert Lowndes

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  • AlertLowndes powered by Smart911 is Lowndes County Emergency Management’s official emergency alert and notification system. This system is used to send alerts to the public during emergencies. Alerts powered by Smart911 [or insert your alert system name] is a free service that allows you to sign up online to receive customized alerts via text message, email, and voice message. 

    In addition to emergency alerts, you can also choose to receive customizable community notifications. These include notifications about severe weather, safety, health, utility disruptions, major traffic incidents, etc. Lowndes County Emergency Management provides this service at no cost to the public; however, message and data rates may apply.

    Alert Lowndes

  • When emergencies happen, be the first to know. Lowndes County Emergency Management uses AlertLowndes to send official, real-time alerts to the public with information about potentially life-saving actions they may need to take to keep themselves and their families safe. By signing up for AlertLowndes you are taking a large step toward improving your personal safety.

    Alert Lowndes

  • When an emergency occurs that meets the criteria for sending out an alert to the public, Lowndes County Emergency Management will gather the necessary information and push out an alert to the affected area. Alerts can be sent out county-wide to everyone who has opted-in to the system, or to a specific area or neighborhood for more localized events.

    Alert Lowndes

  • This service is provided by Lowndes County Emergency Management at no cost to the public; however, message and data rates may apply depending on your provider and phone services.

    Alert Lowndes

  • While AlertLowndes is an excellent system, we cannot guarantee that you will receive notification in all cases. Disasters and emergencies are chaotic and unpredictable, and notification depends on external providers such as your wireless carrier or email delivery service outside Lowndes County Emergency Management’s control. AlertLowndes will use several means of communication to try to ensure that should any one communications method, technology, or delivery option be unavailable to reach residents, other methods will be used to improve the likelihood that citizens will see the message.

    Alert Lowndes

  • Signing up for AlertLowndes is easy! Go to https://www.smart911.com/smart911/ref/reg.action?pa=AlertLowndes and register your contact information.


    Alert Lowndes

  • AlertLowndes is available to anyone who lives, works, travels through, or visits Lowndes County. The address can be your home, work, or any other location you care about.

    Alert Lowndes

  • You can visit your local library to sign up online for AlertLowndes. Those who do not have computer access are also welcome to attend one of the many scheduled opt-in events hosted by Lowndes County Emergency Management or call their office during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

    Alert Lowndes

  • Emergency alerts are sent 24/7 when there is an immediate threat to life and/or property. In addition to emergency alerts, you can also choose to receive customizable community notifications. These include notifications about:

    o    Severe Weather

    o    Safety risks

    o    Health risks

    o    Test messages.

    Alert Lowndes

  • You cannot reply to texts or emails sent by AlertLowndes. Voice messages provide a dial-back number to replay an alert message.

    Alert Lowndes

  • Once you have signed up online at https://www.smart911.com/smart911/ref/reg.action?pa=AlertLowndes and confirmed your contact information within the system, you will begin receiving alerts

    Alert Lowndes

  • Follow the below steps to change your AlertLowndespreferences (for example, to reduce the number of messages of a certain type, or to change the contacts used for each kind of message):

    1.    Go to the login page https://www.smart911.com/smart911/ref/login.action?pa=AlertLowndes for AlertLowndes

    2.    Login using your AlertLowndes username and password (If you’ve forgotten these, follow the instructions on the page under “Forgot Username or Password?”)

    3.    Once signed in, click the ‘Preferences’ tab at the top

    4.    Under ‘Notification Preferences’, you can make changes to both the phone numbers and email addresses on which you want to receive AlertLowndes messages by clicking or unclicking the checkboxes

    5.    You can also choose what alerts you want to receive and the method you wish to receive them by (text, voice, email)

                a.    For example, if you wish to turn off all messages regarding Boil Water Notices, uncheck the box to the left of “Boil Water Notices”

                b.    If you wish instead only to receive emails for Boil Water notifications, instead uncheck the “Text” and / or “Voice” choices, so that only “Email” remains checked


    Alert Lowndes

  • The frequency for which you receive alerts depends on the addresses you provide and the types of alerts you select to receive, as well as the frequency of actual emergencies. Emergency alerts will only be sent when there is an immediate threat to life and/or property. Community notifications will be sent when the criteria for sending an alert are met.

    This system is not intended to bombard you with information. Emergency Management will only send you alerts about the information you select to receive. To change your alert settings, login to https://www.smart911.com/smart911/ref/login.action?pa=AlertLowndes and edit your preferences.

    Alert Lowndes

  • If a call is completed, a message is left and sent to your answering machine or voice mail system. If a phone call is unanswered or busy, the system redials your number several times.

    Alert Lowndes

  • No, your information is private and will not be used or distributed in any manner. The information you provide is exempt from public disclosure and will be used for emergencies only.

    Alert Lowndes

  • Personal information provided to AlertLowndesis is private and only used to notify you for official emergency communications and to support Lowndes County’s emergency services.

    Your information is not used for marketing purposes and will not be sold to telemarketers or data-mining organizations. A variety of “opt-in” mechanisms are available to ensure you receive only the messages you want, delivered via the devices and communications modes you choose.

    AlertLowndes utilizes the highest standards in physical and computer security technologies and conducts regular audits to keep all information secure. Privacy policies are also outlined in the Terms and Conditions you review when you sign up for AlertLowndes notifications.


    Alert Lowndes

  • Alert Lowndes uses warning polygons issued by the National Weather Service (NWS).

    When the NWS issues a warning, they draw a specific shape, or polygon, on the map that identifies the area most likely to be impacted. If your address is located inside that polygon, you will receive an alert. If your address is outside of it, you may not receive a notification, even if you are still within Lowndes County.

    This allows alerts to be sent quickly and only to those at greatest risk.

    Alert Lowndes

  • Not every warning impacts the entire county, and sending alerts countywide for every warning would actually create delays and reduce effectiveness.

    Here’s why:

    Speed matters: Severe weather warnings, especially tornado warnings, are often issued with very little lead time, sometimes only minutes. Sending alerts to the entire county would take longer to process and deliver, which could delay notifications to those in immediate danger.

    Targeted delivery is faster: Polygon-based alerts allow the system to quickly send messages only to the people within the affected area, improving delivery speed when seconds matter.

    Reduces alert fatigue: If everyone received every alert, even when not at risk, people may begin to ignore them over time. Targeted alerts help ensure that when you receive a notification, it is relevant and important.

    In short, polygon-based alerts are designed to be faster, more precise, and more effective during rapidly evolving situations.

    Alert Lowndes

  • There are a few common reasons:

    • Their address may fall just inside the warning polygon, while yours is just outside
    • They may have multiple locations listed, such as home, work, or family members
    • They may receive alerts through multiple methods, such as text, app, email, or voice

    Even small differences in location can determine whether an alert is received.

    Alert Lowndes

  • Sometimes your location may fall near the edge of a warning polygon. Warnings are designed to cover areas where impacts are possible, not guaranteed.

    For example:

    •    A storm may shift slightly before reaching your exact location

    •    Some hazards, such as wind or heavy rain, can vary across short distances

    It is always best to treat alerts seriously, even if impacts are not ultimately felt at your exact location.

    Alert Lowndes

  • The most common reasons include:

    •    Your address is not correctly entered or mapped in your account

    •    Your location was outside the warning polygon

    •    You have not enabled text, voice, or app notifications

    •    Your phone settings, such as Do Not Disturb, may have silenced the alert

    •    Your carrier may have delayed or filtered the message

    Alert Lowndes

  • Alert timing depends on several factors:

    •    When the National Weather Service issues the warning

    •    How quickly storms develop or change

    •    Cellular network traffic during high-demand events

    Warnings are issued as soon as conditions meet criteria, but severe weather can develop rapidly with little advance notice.


    Alert Lowndes

  • A Watch means conditions are favorable for severe weather. Stay alert and be prepared.

    A Warning means severe weather is occurring or imminent. Take action immediately.

    Alert Lowndes primarily sends notifications for Warnings, which indicate an immediate threat.

    Alert Lowndes

  • To improve your chances of receiving alerts:

    •    Make sure your address is accurate and correctly placed on the map

    •    Enable multiple notification methods, such as text, voice, email, and app notifications

    •    Check that your phone is not blocking or silencing alerts

    •    Consider adding additional locations, such as work, school, or family members’ homes

    Alert Lowndes

  • No. While Alert Lowndes is a powerful tool, we strongly encourage having multiple ways to receive alerts, including:

    •    NOAA Weather Radio

    •    Trusted weather apps

    •    Local television and radio

    •    Wireless Emergency Alerts on your phone

    No single system should be your only source of emergency information.

    Alert Lowndes

  • If you need assistance updating your information or verifying your settings, please contact:

    Lowndes County Emergency Management

    (229) 671-2790


    Alert Lowndes

  1. Lowndes County Seal

Contact Us

  1. Lowndes County, GA

  2. P.O. Box 1349

  3. Valdosta, GA 31603

  4. Phone: 229-671-2400

  5. Fax: 229-245-5222


  6. More contact info >

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