SAVANNAH, Ga. — Coastal Georgia communities including Savannah are under a statewide emergency after Gov. Brian Kemp issued a declaration Thursday for all 159 counties as Hurricane Isaias approached the Gulf Coast with threats of heavy rain, damaging winds, tornadoes and flash flooding.
The executive order allows emergency managers to position equipment, personnel and other resources before the storm reaches Georgia. Kemp also directed the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency to activate the State Operations Center early Friday afternoon. GEMA Director Josh Lamb said ensuring the safety of all Georgians is the top priority and that all parts of the state could see impacts. Kemp said the state was hoping for the best, preparing for the worst.
Forecasters expect Isaias to make landfall on the Gulf Coast along the Florida Panhandle and coastal Alabama on Friday night, with rain reaching southern Georgia during the day and the most significant effects beginning Friday evening and continuing through the weekend. Wind gusts could reach 40 to 50 mph in western Georgia as the storm center moves through Alabama, and the expanding wind field could affect communities well outside the projected path.
Officials said the system also could produce tornadoes across much of Georgia, along with downed trees, power lines and power outages. Widespread flooding is not expected because the storm is moving quickly, though prolonged heavy rain could cause flash flooding in areas that have recently received several inches of rain. It is the second ongoing state of emergency, along with a suspension of state gas and diesel taxes.
The Georgia Department of Defense is authorized to deploy up to 500 National Guard troops. The Georgia departments of Transportation and Public Safety were directed to help utility crews move quickly to address outages. Certain commercial vehicle size and weight restrictions for storm relief have been temporarily relaxed, and federal limits on commercial drivers working hours are suspended for up to 14 days to support essential deliveries.
The hurricane emergency remains in effect through 11:59 p.m. Oct. 15 unless renewed. Kemp urged residents to gather food, water, batteries and flashlights, stay away from downed power lines, and avoid walking or driving through standing water.
