Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has taken proactive measures in response to the impending threat of Hurricane Helene by authorizing up to 500 Georgia National Guardsmen, with 250 already on duty, to prepare for the storm. During a news conference on Thursday, Governor Kemp outlined the expected timeline of the storm's impact across the state.
Hurricane Helene is forecasted to reach South Georgia by sunset on Thursday, moving through middle Georgia overnight, and reaching north Georgia by Friday morning. A state of emergency was declared for all 159 counties in Georgia earlier this week to ensure that emergency management teams have the necessary time to prepare and allocate resources effectively.
Governor Kemp emphasized the significance of the storm, stating that its impact is likely to be more severe than that of Tropical Storm Debby. He highlighted the readiness of various state agencies, including the Georgia Department of Public Safety, Department of Natural Resources, and Department of Transportation, to respond to the storm's aftermath.
State troopers, officers, and over 150 teams from the Department of Natural Resources are on standby to clear roads, conduct water rescues, provide security, and distribute critical supplies. The Georgia Department of Transportation has crews strategically positioned across the state to promptly remove debris once conditions are safe.
Furthermore, more than 10,000 linemen from utility providers in Georgia are prepared to address power outages as soon as the storm subsides and it is safe for them to commence restoration efforts.
Governor Kemp assured the public that the state is fully committed to responding to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene with all available resources once conditions permit. The collective efforts of state agencies, emergency responders, and utility providers aim to mitigate the storm's impact and ensure a swift recovery for affected communities.
