GA Gov. Kemp, state leaders on standby to send help during Hurricane Helene

GEORGIA (WJBF) – As Hurricane Helene intensifies and moves towards Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp and state leaders are on standby to send help where needed with heavy rain and heavy wind expected.

Early Thursday afternoon Governor Kemp met with state leaders at the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) headquarters in Atlanta outlining key priorities.

Inside the GEMA headquarters, multiple agencies are gathered including Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, and Department of Forestry and Agriculture to figure out the best way on where to send resources as Hurricane Helene makes its way through Georgia.

“At this point what category this storm is. This is one of the biggest from the Atlantic from a size perspective on the width of — around 500 miles wide — so it will affect a large area as it comes across Florida as it comes into Georgia,” says Georgia Governor Brian Kemp.

Officials say that they have crews in place like cut teams and chain saw teams so they can clear out roads and remove downed threes, downed power line, and debris, but their message is for people to simply stay off the roads.

Governor Kemp says they have received resources from FEMA – federal funds to have resources due to the state of emergency.

According to officials, they have already activated 250 National Guards and another 250 on standby, who may have to go to those counties due to heavy wind and heavy rain and could cause flash flooding or mudslides.

Officials say they want people to be extra prepared by having non-perishable food for the next 72 hours.

“Think about the things you would take to a picnic. That’s the type of food you want inside for a few days – about 72 hours. So whatever you need for 72 hours. You may need a few gallons of water. It’s a good time if you have a bath tub at home or at a well you want to fill those up so you can flush commodes and things like that,” says Chris Stallings, GEMA Director in Atlanta.

Stallings adds that because this is an all state wide event, but there could be different situations in different counites. So if you are in a flood zone, you should seek higher ground, and if you are in a tornado zone, you should seek lower ground things like a basement or a room without windows.

Officials advise folks to protect yourself and your pets and to have a plan in case the weather impacts your area.

State leaders say they have set up 8 shelters in place just in case, and they add that their main priorities are hospitals and senior living facilities.

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