GEORGIA (WTXL) - Governor Nathan Deal has expanded his state of emergency declaration to include 24 additional Georgia counties, bringing the total to 30.
The 30 counties under a state of emergency are: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Brantley, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Echols, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Glynn, Jenkins, Jeff Davis, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Pierce, Screven, Tattnall, Toombs, Treutlen, Wayne and Ware Counties.
Beginning Saturday, officials say a mandatory evacuation order will take effect for Chatham County, all areas east of I-95, and some areas west of I-95 that could be impacted by this catastrophic hurricane and storm surge.
“The state is mobilizing all available resources to ensure public safety ahead of Hurricane Irma,” said Deal. “I encourage all Georgians in our coastal areas that could be impacted by this storm to evacuate the area as soon as possible."
Gov. Deal and the State Operation Command Team will hold a news conference Friday morning at 10 a.m. to provide updates on storm preparations. A livestream of the conference will be available here.
State Agency Information
GEMA/HS
• Sheltering and state park information are available on the GEMA/HS website or by calling 1-800-TRY-GEMA.
• For additional information on GEMA/HS relief efforts, contact Catherine Howden at catherine.howden@gema.ga.gov or 404-606-2928.
GA DoD
• For additional information on GA DoD relief efforts, contact Desiree Bamba at desiree.b.bamba.nfg@mail.mil or 470-303-2329.
GDOT
• Contraflow on I-16 will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9. See the attached graphic for more information. For more information on GDOT preparations, see the attached graphic or contact Natalie Dale, ndale@dot.ga.gov.
Georgia Attorney General
If you feel that you may have been the victim of a scam or price gouging while in the aforementioned counties, please contact the Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit. Call 1-800-869-1123 toll-free outside of the metro Atlanta calling area, or call 404-651-8600 inside the metro Atlanta area, or click here to report suspected price gouging online. Detailed information, including copies of relevant documentation and pictures, may be uploaded to this site.
