Kemp issues state of emergency in Georgia ahead of Hurricane Idalia
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Tuesday issued a state of emergency order in preparation for the expected arrival of Hurricane Idalia later this week.
“We are taking every precaution ahead of Hurricane Idalia’s landfall [Wednesday], and I am taking this additional executive action to ensure state assets are ready to respond,” Kemp said in a statement. “Georgians in the expected impact area can and should take necessary steps to ensure their safety and that of their families. We are well positioned to respond to whatever Idalia may bring.”
Idalia was churning in the Gulf of Mexico as a Category 1 hurricane on Tuesday but is projected to make landfall in Florida early Wednesday as a Category 3 or 4 hurricane with winds up to 120 mph. It will begin to weaken as it moves inland, but is still expected to be a Category 1 hurricane as it hits Southeast Georgia later that afternoon and evening. Damaging winds and heavy rainfall are expected to cause widespread debris, power outages and flash flooding.
The majority of the hurricane’s impact is expected to be in South-Central and Southeast Georgia, pending any changes in Idalia’s path and strength.
Seven Georgia counties — Brooks, Lowndes, Lanier, Echols, Clinch, Ware and Charlton — are currently under a hurricane warning. Brantley and Pierce Counties are under a hurricane watch. Additional counties could be added later Tuesday.
State and local officials in Georgia are monitoring the storm. The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency has teams on standby to deploy to affected counties if needed, according to Kemp’s office.
Georgia’s state of emergency order is in effect through Sept. 8.
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