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The Current GA
Hurricane Helene: Updates
By The Current,
1 hours ago
Scroll down for your county. This page will collect storm info, closings, preparation updates from Coastal Georgia counties throughout Hurricane Helene’s travel inland. Please send any questions or info to staff@thecurrentga.org .
The state of Georgia has declared a disaster for all Georgia counties.
As of 6:20 p.m., the National Hurricane Center upgraded Hurricane Helene to “an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane.” Hurricane Hunter planes measured Helene’s maximum sustained winds at 130 miles per hour, and pressure dropping in the storm’s center means that it is getting stronger.
Camden County/St. Mary’s
All local government offices in Camden County, including those in the Cities of Kingsland, St. Marys, and Woodbine, will be closed on Thursday, Sept 24, and Friday, Sept 25, 2024. In addition, Camden County Schools will close all schools on Thursday, Sept. 26, and Friday, Sept. 27.
Thursday, Sept 26, 11:02 am: The tornado warning has expired.
In the event of storm damage, citizens are asked to use the Citizen Damage Reporte r to share relevant information.
Waste Services:
MSW and C&D Landfills will be open with normal operating hours on Thursday, Sept 26, 2024, but will be closed on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. They are tentatively scheduled to reopen on Saturday, Sept 28, 2024, at 7:00 a.m. with extended operating hours through 3:00 p.m., subject to weather and conditions.
Curbside Collections office for the county’s unincorporated area will be closed on Thursday, Sept 26, 2024, and Friday, Sept 27, 2024, and will reopen on Monday, Sept 30, 2024. Friday collections will be conducted on Saturday, Sept 28, 2024.
Waste collection in the City of Kingsland, St. Marys, and Woodbine will take place on Thursday, Sept 26, 2024, and will pause on Friday, Sept 27, 2024. Friday’s collection will resume on Saturday, Sept 28, 2024.
Vulnerable Population Sheltering:
A shelter is available for residents in flood-prone areas who are considered vulnerable due to medical conditions, self-care needs, or age. Shelter details are as follows:
Who: Vulnerable populations include those with medical needs, self-care difficulties, elderly individuals, etc. The general public will only be accommodated if space is available after prioritizing the vulnerable population.
What to Bring: Medications, personal identification, basic supplies for children and pets, blankets and only essential personal items.
Glynn County/Brunswick/St. Simons
Thursday, Sept. 26, 4:42 p.m.
The College of Coastal Georgia will continue reduced operations at both the Brunswick campus and Camden Center for Friday, September 27. Campus operations will resume as normal on Saturday, September 28, and classes will resume on Monday, September 30.
Thursday, Sept 26, 11:07 am:
Expect strong winds, scattered tornadoes, flash flooding and hazardous marine conditions through Friday morning. Wind damage, including downed trees and power outages, is likely.
Wind Threat: Tropical storm force winds are expected to reach 20-30mph with gusts up to 45mph this afternoon, and then increase to 30-40mph with gusts up to 60mph later in the evening. Storm Surge: Water levels could rise up to 4 feet above ground level in flood-prone areas of Glynn County. Flooding Risk: Glynn County is at risk for localized flooding, with rainfall between 2-4 inches. Tidal flooding, especially during high tide, may affect low-lying areas.
Glynn County schools will be closed on Thursday, Sept. 26, with classes resuming on Friday, Sept. 27.
Glynn County Parks & Recreation is canceling all Thursday recreation and sports activities. City of Brunswick recreation activities are also canceled on Thursday and will resume on Monday.
Both branches of Glynn County Library will be closed on Thursday, reopening on Friday at 11 am.
Republic Services Friday garbage pickup for Sea Island is delayed until Saturday. All other routes in Brunswick and in Glynn County are on their regular schedule.
County and City offices will remain open on Thursday and Friday, unless conditions deteriorate.
Brunswick’s Senior Center will be closed on Thursday due to transportation services being suspended; services may resume on Friday pending availability of transportation being provided by the Coastal Regional Commission.
All citizens are encouraged to check their home emergency preparedness kits and to download the free CodeRed app for up-to-the-minute advisories and warnings. CodeRed is available on the Glynn County EMA Facebook page.
The College of Coastal Georgia will shift all classes online Thursday, September 26. The College will have reduced operations for faculty and staff.
Students, faculty, and staff will be notified of any updates through the website, social media, emails, and text messages. Please visit www.ccga.edu for the latest information.
Chatham County/Savannah
Thursday, 2:30 p.m. :
Watches
A tornado watch is in effect until 9 p.m. Thursday
Heightened risk of tornadoes Thursday evening into Friday morning
Rainfall/Flooding: Potential for 2-4 inches of rain into Friday. County officials remind people operating vehicles not to drive into standing or rising water, as depths can be deceptive.
Wind and Storm Surge: Helene will be a large storm with effects outside of the projected path. Most intense winds will be later Thursday night. Power outages are possible.
Evacuations: There are currently no plans for evacuation at this time.
Officials encourage residents to sign up for and monitor CEMA alerts at chathamemergency.org or text CEMA to 77295 to receive alerts
TRANSPORTATION:
GDOT is not currently planning to close Talmadge unless something changes.
Citizens can report road/bridge issues through 511.
The Savannah/ Hilton Head International Airport will remain operational; however, airlines may delay and/or cancel flights depending on weather conditions. Travelers are advised to keep in contact with the airline with whom they are flying.
CAT : Plans to continue operations as long as safely possible, but will monitor weather and make decisions for service interruptions as necessitated by conditions
SCHOOLS:
The Savannah-Chatham County Public School system will have a half day on Thursday and E-learning at home on Friday.
COUNTY & MUNICIPALITIES:
Chatham County offices will be open on Thursday.
Bloomingdale: City Hall will be closing at 3:00 today 9/26 and will evaluate later this afternoon for tomorrow depending on impacts.
Garden City: Currently normal operations but will evaluate later this afternoon depending on impacts.
Pooler: Currently normal operations but will evaluate later this afternoon depending on impacts.
Port Wentworth: City Hall will be closing at 3:00 today 9/26 and will reopen Monday, 9/30 depending on impacts.
Thunderbolt: Currently normal operations but will evaluate later this afternoon depending on impacts.
Tybee: Currently normal operations but will evaluate later this afternoon depending on impacts.
CURFEW: There is no curfew currently.
SANDBAGS: Across the street from the Chatham County Aquatic Center on Sallie Mood Drive. Must bring shovel, no pre-filled bags available. Available during daylight hours.
Garden City Sandbags: available at Garden City Hall, must bring shovel.
City of Savannah has a sandbag location near Enmarket Arena.
Pooler, Port Wentworth, and Tybee Island also have sandbag locations. Must be a resident of that jurisdiction, contact that jurisdiction for additional information.
Chatham County Sandbags: Across the street from the Aquatic Center, bring your own shovel.
SHELTERS: No shelters open as of 1 p.m. Thursday
Wednesday, 7:17 p.m.:
• Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools will operate on an early release day on Thursday for students .
Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools will close in-person activities on Friday (9/27) and will shift to virtual learning and remote work as conditions allow.
Thursday 9/26 Early Dismissal Times
11:30 am – High Schools (except Building Bridges), Mercer MS, Godley K-8, Building Bridges MS, Learning Academy @ Jenkins
11:40 am – Middle Schools(except Mercer) and Building Bridges HS, Wings Elementary
12:15 pm – Ellis, Garrison, Isle of Hope, Georgetown, Hesse, New Hampstead K-8, Learning Academy @ IOH, Pulaski K8, Bloomingdale
1:15 pm – Elementary Schools, Rice Creek
• All Chatham County offices will close at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, September 26, 2024, and anticipate reopening at 9 a.m. Friday, September 27, 2024. This precautionary measure is being taken to ensure the safety of county employees and residents as the storm approaches.
Chatham County employees are advised to contact the Employee Disaster Line by 8 a.m. on Friday, September 27, 2024, for further instructions regarding work schedules and reporting requirements. Additional updates concerning County operations for Friday will be provided Friday morning.
The City of Savannah has declared a state of local emergency in Savannah, effective noon Wednesday.
The City will provide residents and businesses with sand and sandbags ahead of the forecasted rainfall. Sandbags will be limited to 10 bags per resident. Residents are asked to bring their own shovel to fill the bags.
• Sandbags will be available Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Thursday, Sept. 26 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. while supplies last and weather allows in the parking lot next to the EnMarket Arena at 1100 W. Gwinnett St.
City crews have already begun preparation for the storm, clearing storm drains and catch basins and providing additional maintenance to storm water systems. The City does not anticipate any major interruptions to sanitation services at this time. Residents are encouraged to secure their refuse and recycling carts ahead of the storm.
Savannah residents and businesses are urged to review emergency plans and kits ahead of the arrival of inclement weather. Information on preparedness can be found at //savannahga.gov/stormhelene .
• Georgia Southern campuses to reduce operations at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26, due to Hurricane Helene. More info.: www.GeorgiaSouthern.edu/alert
Liberty County/Hinesville
Thursday, Sept. 26, 8:58 p.m.: Liberty County is under a tornado warning until 9:45 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 26, 7:48 p.m.: Asked whether the county would provide shelter for its many residents who live in mobile homes, given Helene’s new Category 4 status, Liberty County EMA Director Bob Dodd said, “Not at this time.”
Thursday, Sept. 26, 6:40 p.m.: Liberty County Chairman said in a video update that residents should be finalizing their storm preparations this evening.
Liberty County Emergency Management Agency Director Bob Dodd said, “So what do we need you to do as Liberty County? If you don’t have to be on the roads tonight, please stay inside and let the storm pass. At this time, there’s no curfew planned or expected. If you lose power, know that we are tracking it here at the Emergency Operations Center and we’ll be working on it to get it restored once it is [safe] to do so.”
If you use a generator , Dodd said, “please keep it outdoors where it has proper ventilation.” Call (912) 368-2202 with non-emergency questions.
Dodd reiterated that “Helene is a very large storm with significant impacts extending well to the east of where the storm tracks. There is a high risk of tornados associated with Helene. The risk for tornados will increase this evening and peak tonight and early Friday morning.” Seek shelter away from windows in an interior room “not prone to flooding,” Dodd said. “If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter options.”
Dodd added that tropical gusts of 45 to 60 miles per hour are expected to increase across Liberty County and offshore this evening. Rainfall is now predicted betwen 1.5 and 4 inches, with higher amounts possible in low-lying areas, and 1 to 3 feet of storm surge along the coast in Liberty County.
Thursday, Sept, 26, 3:46 p.m.: County EMA Director Bob Dodd urges residents to make sure they are following the Liberty County, GA Facebook page — not the Liberty County, FL Facebook page. “We’re getting a lot of calls,” he said. Local government sites to follow include:
The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office also has an app you can download for Android , iPhone , and iPad .
Thursday, Sept, 26, 2:54 p.m.: Liberty County residents can call the Liberty County Emergency Management Agency at (912) 368-2202 with non-emergency questions about Hurricane Helene.
Liberty County Chairman Donald Lovette, Emergency Management Director Robert Dodd, and Hinesville City Manager Kenneth Howard took to Facebook Live Thursday morning with details of how the city and county are responding to the emergency:
Howard said Hinesville will not cut off late utilities until after the storm passes and that garbage pickup continues as usual.
Dodd warned of increasing tornado risks through Thursday afternoon into Friday morning, “with impacts well to the east of where the storm tracks,” with gusts of 40 to 60 miles per hour and 1.5 to 3-inch rainfall, “with isolated higher amounts especially west of the I-95 corridor.” Expect coastal storm surges of 1 to 3 feet along southeastern Georgia, he said.
Soon after the announcement, at 11:11 a.m., the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Liberty County through 11:45 a.m. Dodd told The Current the tornado did not touch the ground but stayed visible on radar.
At 11 a.m. Wednesday, Liberty County declared a State of Emergency. County offices will be closed Thursday, Sept. 26 and Friday, Sept. 27, and are expected to reopen on Monday, Sept. 30.
Liberty County Schools will be closed on Thursday, Sept. 26 and Friday, Sept. 27. All after-school activities are also cancelled. “Based on the latest report from the National Weather Service, wind gusts are expected to exceed what we believe will be safe to transport our students,” LCSS spokeswoman Genese Baker wrote Wednesday. “The safety of our staff and students continues to be our top priority.”
If you are experiencing homelessness, Hinesville’s Homeless Prevention Program offers emergency shelter assistance 24 hours a day. During severe weather events, that assistance will stretch until the end of the event, when you must check out. Call (912) 271-9882 for help after hours. You will need to provide:
• Names of all adults 18 years or older • Date of Birth for all adults 18 years or older • Number of minors under 18 in the household • Contact Information (phone and email) • Status of photo ID for all adult household members
HPP staff will contact local partner hotels, then let you know where to go and give you reservation information. You can stay until the end of the severe weather event; once the City of Hinesville reopens for business, you have to check out. At that point, go to City Hall, 115 East M.L. King Jr. Drive, where officials will take down your demographic information and you can make a formal application for assistance.
The City of Walthourville will be closed Thursday, Sept. 26 . This includes City Hall, all administrative offices, and Public Works. Bulk trash collection also is suspended for Thursday, Sept 26. City officials say they will monitor the storm and decide whether offices will be closed on Friday, Sept. 27.
The City of Midway will be closed Thursday, Sept, 26 and Friday, Sept. 27 , and will reopen on Monday Sept. 30.
Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Air Base issued this directive Wednesday: “Due to Tropical Storm Helene, maximum telework is authorized for U.S. Army Garrison personnel and other tenant organizations. U.S. Army Garrison directorates will continue to provide customer service to our Soldiers and Families both Thursday, Sept. 26 and Friday, Sept. 27. Contact your chain of command or first-line supervisor for reporting information. DODEA schools are open Thursday, Sept. 26 and will recognize a student holiday, Friday, Sept. 27. Medical Treatment Facility personnel will stand by for reporting guidance. A decision is expected soon for MTF personnel. If you have a question regarding operating status of a facility tomorrow or Friday, it is recommended to call the facility beforehand.AAFES and DECA facilities will operate with normal hours Thursday, Sept. 26.”
However, Winn Army Community Hospital will be open as usual Thursday, Sept. 26. Staff with “individual situations due to Hurricane Helene that may affect your ability to report to work” should contact their supervisor.
Bryan County
Sept. 26, 2 p.m. Richmond Hill updates:
Richmond Hill city administrative offices will be closing 2:00 pm today . Critical staff and first responders will remain on-duty. Further closures will be announced on our website and official social media channels.
The trail, playground and pavilion at J.F. Gregory Park and Sterling Creek Park will be closed at 12 pm Sept 26 . Both parks will be assessed for damages and repair (if needed) after the storm has passed.
Richmond Hill residents are asked not to place yard debris out for collection. With strong wind gusts expected, yard debris can get blown into the storm drains and cause drainage issues.
Sand and sandbags for residents at the former GDOT lot on Timber Trail, near Port Drive. Residents are expected to fill their own bags. Also, please remember to bring your own shovels.
As of Sept. 26, 2 p.m.: All Bryan County public schools will be closed on Friday, Sept 27. School offices will also be closed Friday.
All Bryan County schools will dismiss two hours early on Thursday, Sept 26. All community education classes, after school programs, and extracurricular activities have been canceled. Any Friday closures will be announced by 2 p.m. on Thursday, Sept 26.
Sand and sandbags are at Fire Station #5 in North Bryan County and Henderson Park in South Bryan County.
Atlantic Waste Services announced that waste management will run as normal on Thursday, Sept. 26, with a delayed start time on Friday, Sept. 27.
McIntosh County
Thursday, Sept. 26, 8:46 p.m.: McIntosh County is under a tornado warning until 9:15 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 26, 4:11 p.m.: The McIntosh County Emergency Management Agency’s webpage is http://www.mcintoshema.com/ . You can sign up for Code Red alerts that will automatically ring your phone in case of an emergency or evacuation order.
In a statement issued at 2:30 p.m., the McIntosh County EMA warned of “an aapproximately 70% chance of tropical storm force winds up to 58 mph (gust could be higher) and a 5% chance of strong tropical storm force winds greater than 58 mph.” Those tropical force winds are expected around 9 p.m. Thursday. Residents must secure all construction materials and loose outdoor items “immediately.”
While the agency does not expect hurricane force winds, McIntosh County residents should expect 2 to 4 inches of rain and storm surge of 1 to 3 feet in the estuaries: “Remember with a little more wobble to the east things could be worse.”
The McIntosh County EMA reminds residents that “emergency vehicles (including ambulances and fire trucks) may not respond when sustained wind speeds reach 35 miles per hour. We ask that when weather conditions begin to deteriorate everyone shelter in place and stay off of the roads.”
McIntosh County offices will be closed Friday, September 27 and are scheduled to reopen Monday, September 30.
According to McIntosh County Schools Superintendent Melissa Williams, students will take part in virtual learning on Thursday and Friday : “Teachers will send assignments/tasks home with students and/or share necessary materials and instructions through our digital platforms,” he wrote in a statement on Facebook.
Both the YMCA and Boys & Girls Club after-school programs are cancelled Thursday and Friday. “Our priority is the safety of our students, staff, and their families, and we want to ensure that learning continues uninterrupted during this time,” Williams wrote.
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