State Of Emergency Declared In 92 Counties Ahead Of Michael

ATLANTA, GA -- Gov. Nathan Deal has declared a state of emergency for 92 middle and south Georgia counties ahead of Hurricane Michael. Deal said he made the declarations based on the latest forecast for the storm and on recommendations from Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) officials. The emergency declaration is effective for seven days and makes all state resources available to local governments and entities within the impacted area of the hurricane.

“The state is mobilizing all available resources to ensure public safety ahead of Hurricane Michael,” said Deal. “In light of the storm’s forecasted track, I encourage Georgians in the affected counties to be prepared and remain vigilant. We will continue to monitor Hurricane Michael’s path and GEMA/HS is leading our preparedness efforts. We are also working with federal, state and local officials to provide public shelter and accommodate those evacuating from other states. I ask all Georgians to join me in praying for the safety of our people and all those in the path of Hurricane Michael.”

The 92 counties under emergency declaration are: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Baker, Baldwin, Ben Hill, Berrien, Bibb, Bleckley, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Calhoun, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Chattahoochee, Clay, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Crawford, Crisp, Decatur, Dodge, Dooly, Dougherty, Early, Echols, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Glynn, Grady, Hancock, Houston, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Jones, Lanier, Laurens, Lee, Liberty, Long, Lowndes, Macon, Marion, McIntosh, Miller, Mitchell, Montgomery, Muscogee, Peach, Pierce, Pulaski, Quitman, Randolph, Richmond, Schley, Screven, Seminole, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Tattnall, Taylor, Telfair, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Turner, Twiggs, Upson, Ware, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Webster, Wheeler, Wilcox, Wilkinson and Worth counties.

SEE ALSO: Hurricane Michael Approaches GA: Flash Flood Watches Start

Flash flood watches are set to go into effect Wednesday throughout Georgia, as Hurricane Michael has already caused thousands of people to evacuate throughout Florida. Some mandatory evacuation orders and school closures were issued on Monday in the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend area as the category 2 hurricane spun toward Florida, gaining strength in the warm Gulf waters.
The National Hurricane Center said Michael could be a Category 3 hurricane with 120-mph winds by the time it reaches the Panhandle. Gov. Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency for 35 Florida counties.
In Georgia, the NHC said Michael could produce 3 to 6 inches of rain in eastern Georgia, creating possibly life-threatening flash floods, through Friday. Tropical storm watches are now in effect in portions of extreme south Georgia.

SEE ALSO: Hurricane Michael Could Disrupt Southwest Flights In Atlanta

SEE ALSO: Hurricane Michael Impact: GA To See Strong Winds, Rain, Tornadoes

SEE ALSO: Hurricane Season 2018: Fewer Storms Forecast

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