ATLANTA — In a press conference with emergency officials on Thursday, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp outlined the state's comprehensive emergency response plan as Hurricane Helene approaches. The massive storm was recently upgraded to a Category 4, and is expected to impact the state late Thursday evening into Friday morning.
All 159 counties have been placed under a state of emergency, allowing emergency management teams ample time to mobilize resources across the state. President Biden also declared an emergency in Georgia to allow federal resources to assist the state.
Helene is expected to bring widespread damage, with preparations already in place to respond quickly once conditions allow.
"We will respond with full force as soon as it's safe to do so," Kemp said.
Here's a breakdown of the personnel and departments involved with keeping Georgia residents safe before, after and during Hurricane Helene:
- Georgia National Guard: 250 Guardsmen activated, with up to 500 authorized for deployment if necessary.
- Department of Public Safety: All Georgia State Troopers and officers are on full alert
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR): 120 ranger teams, 7 task force teams and 24 strike teams are on standby to clear roads, conduct water rescues, provide security, and deliver critical supplies.
- Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT): Crews are stationed throughout the state to manage debris removal and road clearing.
- Residents are advised to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary.
- Georgia Forestry Commission: 10 chainsaw teams and 42 personnel have been mobilized to assist with tree and debris removal.
- Georgia Department of Corrections: 20 chainsaw teams, along with commercial kitchen teams and water tankers, are ready for deployment.
- Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI): 150 agents are available to support state operations.
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): 2 urban search and rescue teams have been stationed in Gainesville and Macon, Georgia.
- State Parks: Parks outside the path of the storm are providing shelter to displaced citizens and their pets.
- 215 evacuees from Florida are currently being housed.
- Utility companies: Georgia Power has 10,000 linemen on standby to restore power after the storm passes. Georgia EMC has 8,000 utility workers ready to assist with power restoration.
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