Cobb Declares Local State of Emergency, Urges Residents to Prepare for Hurricane

Cobb Chairwoman Lisa Cupid declared a local State of Emergency for Cobb County Thursday due to anticipated impacts of Hurricane Helene.

Helene is predicted to make landfall late Thursday night on Florida’s panhandle, but the county, currently under a National Weather Service tropical storm warning, is already beginning to see the effects of the storm.

According to the National Weather Service, Cobb has received around three inches of rain since storms began Wednesday morning, and will receive an additional four to six inches between Thursday and Friday afternoon.

Meteorologist Keith Stellman said rain will continue to grow in intensity late Thursday through early Friday morning.

Helene has shifted further east, according to Stellman, meaning the county is now on the west side of the storm’s center.

However, that does not mean the impact will be significantly less.

Meteorologist Ansley Baring said, with the tropical storm warning, Cobb could expect to see sustained winds from anywhere between 39 to 73 mph.

“I encourage everyone to take precautions and avoid travel during the storm,” Cupid said in a news release. “Forecasters are predicting high winds and heavy rainfall. With the amount of rain we’ve already received, flooding is likely. If you live in a flood-prone area, please assess whether it is necessary to relocate to a safer location.”

As Helene enters the state, the National Hurricane Center also forecasts possible tornadoes. Since Wednesday, heavy rains have already caused flooding and weakened trees which could lead to road closures and power outages, according to Georgia Power.

Take Precautions

In her statement, Cupid urged residents to make preparations for the approaching storm.

These preparations, as outlined on Cobb County Government’s Facebook, include:

♦ Put batteries in flashlights and portable radios.

♦ Fill up cars with gas. Cars can be used to charge phones, but leaving a car running in a closed garage could result in carbon monoxide poisoning.

♦ Secure any outdoor furniture, toys, boats and grills.

♦ Put fuel in generators, but never use them indoors.

♦ Move vehicles to higher ground if in an area prone to flooding.

♦ Remove valuables from areas prone to flooding like a basement.

During the storm, authorities advise taking shelter in a sturdy building away from windows and doors, avoiding contact with conductors of electricity like appliances, metal objects and water.

Georgia Power also recommends charging all electronic devices and unplugging major appliances in case of a power outage.

If an outage occurs, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission urges residents to never operate a portable generator indoors. Opening doors or windows will not provide enough ventilation to prevent the buildup of lethal levels of carbon monoxide, said CPSC officials. The commission also recommends residents check that their carbon monoxide and smoke alarms are working properly.

Prepare for Outages

Across the state, Georgia Power has already placed more than 10,000 personnel on the ground in order to respond to widespread damage and potential power outages.

In a news release, the company said it is continuing to refine plans as the storm gets closer in order to ensure a safe and effective response.

“Helene is a very large storm, moving into South Georgia with very little time to substantially weaken, and we expect the high winds and heavy rain to cause significant damage in many of our communities,” Kim Greene, chairman, president and CEO of Georgia Power, said in a news release. “Our teams are well trained and experienced, and we’ve been watching this storm and making every preparation throughout the week.”

Greene said that, as conditions are safe, the company’s teams will be in the field working to restore power as quickly possible.

“Even so, we encourage customers to keep safety first in the coming days and prepare for the potential of power outages that could last multiple days due to the size and extensive reach of this storm,” Greene said.

As a member of the nationwide mutual assistance network, which consists of hundreds of utilities from around the country, Georgia Power has proactively mobilized crews from over 35 companies from 11 states like Texas, Oklahoma and New Jersey to begin restoring power as soon as it is safe to do so following the storm.

Georgia Power has also mobilized additional staff, including from sister company Mississippi Power, to respond to the hurricane. These mobilized crews have pre-positioned restoration workers, equipment and supplies near areas of impact including extra transformers, poles, cable and other equipment, said company officials.

The company urges customers to call 911 or Georgia Power immediately if they see a fallen or low-hanging power line and to avoid touching wires or entering areas where downed lines may be buried in wreckage.

Avoid Travel

With projected high rainfall amounts, the Georgia Department of Transportation reminds motorists to use extreme caution while driving and avoid all travel if possible. Road closures caused by downed trees, debris and flooding are possible.

Drivers should be prepared to turn around when encountering water in the roadway as vehicles can get swept away by as little as 12 inches of moving water, said GDOT officials in a news release.

In the event that a signalized intersection has no power, GDOT said to treat the intersection as a four-way stop.

Anything that impedes travel on roads and bridges, like flash flooding, downed trees and other obstructions, should be reported by calling 511.

To report and check the status of outages as well as access useful safety tips and information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com/Storm. Reports and status checks can also be done by calling 888-891-0938, available 24 hours a day.

For Cobb storm updates as well as important emergency storm information, visitcobbcounty.org/helene-information.