Governor Kemp extends state emergency following tropical storm Debby

Governor Brian P. Kemp joined state and local emergency management officials, local leaders, and others in Savannah to provide an update on the response to damage from Debby. The State of Emergency issued by Governor Kemp has been extended for another seven days through Thursday, August 15, making state resources available to local governments and entities within the impact area. The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) State Operations Center is now at a level 2 partial activation. Teams from the Georgia National Guard, Department of Public Safety, Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Department of Agriculture, and Georgia Department of Transportation are also working closely with affected counties to monitor damage and deploy as needed. The governor and emergency management officials are also coordinating with Georgia's utility providers, who have been responding to any power outages homes and businesses may experience.

“While the worst of Debby has passed, this remains an active situation,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “I'm grateful for all of our first responders, utility providers, and others who have already been in impacted areas ensuring people are safe, roads are passable, and necessary repairs are made. We want to encourage all Georgians affected by the storm to be patient in allowing these men and women to do their work and return communities to full operation."

The Governor and GEMA/HS are strongly encouraging residents to stay off roads. Residents should follow the instructions of local officials. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. Do not drive around barricades; they are there for your safety. Never drive through standing water as it only takes one foot of water to float a full-sized automobile, and two feet can sweep it away. More than half of flood victims are in vehicles swept away by moving water. Move to higher ground away from rivers, streams, creeks, and storm drains. Stay out of floodwaters if possible as the water may be contaminated or electrically charged. Stay away from downed power lines to avoid the risk of electric shock or electrocution.

Debby is currently projected to continue moving northeast as it dissipates. Though rain is no longer falling, rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water will just now be cresting. Debby dropped over a foot of water on much of south and coastal Georgia. Several rivers in Southeast Georgia have active flood warnings which could persist through the weekend.

The State Operations Center activated over the weekend allowed the state to move resources ahead of the storm. A State of Emergency was issued Saturday, August 3rd making state resources available to local governments in impacted areas. On Monday, August 5th the Governor issued an additional executive order enabling the Georgia National Guard to call up troops.

GEMA/HS is at level 2 partial activation actively working with federal, state, and local partners determining best steps for safety measures including conducting drone missions for assessment purposes.

The Georgia National Guard’s response effort consisted of approximately 300 Soldiers and Airmen assisting Screven County among others with various tasks ranging from route clearance to transport using high-water vehicles.

GDOT crews assess impacts on roads while DNR responded with search-and-rescue operations including staging boats due concerns over dam failure at Lake Eureka.

DPS monitored road conditions maintaining a list closures while GDA worked alongside partners ensuring citizen safety monitoring agricultural impacts such as crop losses including significant poultry fatalities reported across several counties.

Both ports operated by GPA resumed activities post-storm ensuring continued logistical operations crucial during recovery efforts.

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