Evacuation of Georgia coast begins

ATLANTA — Gov. Nathan Deal and state emergency officials will conduct a 10 a.m. news conference Friday on preparations for the potentially catastrophic category 5 Hurricane Irma, but on Thursday Deal expanded his emergency declaration to include 30 of the state’s counties.

Deal, in his executive actions Thursday, issued a mandatory evacuation order for all areas of Georgia east of Interstate Highway 95, as well as all of Chatham County and some areas west of I-95 that are likely to be impacted by the massive storm.

In addition to authorizing up to 5,000 Georgia National Guard troops to be on a state of active duty to support work with Irma, Deal’s order prohibits price gouging for all goods in relation to the powerful storm.

“The state is mobilizing all available resources to ensure public safety ahead of Hurricane Irma,” Deal said. “I encourage all Georgians in our coastal areas that could be impacted by this storm to evacuate the area as soon as possible. Beginning Saturday, 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.

“GEMA/HS continues leading our preparedness efforts as we coordinate with federal, state and local officials to safely evacuate the coastal areas, provide public shelter and minimize the disruption of traffic. Finally, I ask all Georgians to join me in praying for the safety of our people and all those in Hurricane Irma’s path.”

The counties included in the state of emergency declaration 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.

GEMA/HS (Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security) is coordinating disaster preparedness efforts along with the Georgia Department of Defense, the Georgia Department of Transportation, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Georgia Department of Public Safety.

At 8 a.m. Saturday, GDOT is converting I-16 to a westward escape route. All four lanes, including those normally for eastbound traffic, will be used for westbound traffic. GDOT officials say the traffic will be redirected to normal lanes for westbound traffic at milepost 38 in Laurens County.

Georgia’s U.S. senators on Thursday also joined in the call for Georgians to be proactive in moving from the potential impact areas.

“We have learned time and again that preparedness saves lives,” Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Marietta, said. “Hurricanes provide warnings that they are coming, and I urge Georgians to take advantage of this window of time to prepare their homes and properties, and more importantly, to heed evacuation advice.

“We will pray for all those staying to aid in emergency work, and we are working closely with Gov. Deal, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency as the storm moves closer to the Georgia coast. As always, Senator Perdue and I will work together in the Senate and do all we can to support all levels of storm response.”

Sen. David Perdue, R-Sea Island, noted that Hurricane Irma is “a life-threatening storm that has the potential to impact many Georgians as it makes landfall in the United States. For everyone’s safety, including the safety of our first responders, everyone must take this storm seriously. Gov. Deal, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the American Red Cross are working hard to prepare for Hurricane Irma and will continue to update Georgians as the situation develops.

“As we saw with the devastation in Houston, we must take potential threats seriously and prepare accordingly. My team stands ready to help, but the most important thing right now is to heed these warnings.”

Late Thursday, the Georgia Department of Economic Development’ tourism division opened a website to help hurricane evacuees find lodging and other information: irma.georgia.org/hurricane.

Deal’s news conference Friday can be viewed online at http://www.esenetworks.com/profile.aspx?id=590.