A mandatory evacuation of more than 100,000 Georgians is underway in six coastal counties ahead of Hurricane Matthew. Gov. Nathan Deal ordered the evacuation today for people east of Interstate 95 in Bryan, Chatham, Liberty, McIntosh, Glynn and Camden Counties. A voluntary evacuation request, issued yesterday, remains in effect for residents west of I-95 in those counties.
“We are being cautious but we don’t want anyone to panic.” ~ Gov. Nathan Deal
The six coastal counties and 24 adjoining counties remain under a state of emergency.
Deal held a press conference Thursday afternoon to explain what’s being done to prepare for the hurricane. He was joined by the heads of several state agencies including the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, State Patrol, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Transportation and National Guard. “We are being cautious but we don’t want anyone to panic,” Deal said as they laid out their plans to evacuate, shelter, and assist Georgian’s caught in the path of Hurricane Matthew.
“We need to take this situation seriously. It’s not something where we should jeopardize someone’s life simply because we do not want to heed the warnings,” Deal said.
I-16 EB traffic is shut off. WB contra flow almost active. @GADeptofTrans @ga_dps @GeorgiaEMA pic.twitter.com/vWvheZZHYH
— GDOT East Traffic (@GDOTEastTraffic) October 6, 2016
Shelters are opening in coastal areas and I-16 eastbound is now closed. Only westbound traffic is being allowed along the I-16 evacuation route. Dozens of Georgia National Guard troops have been activated to assist state and local public safety and transportation officials.
“I urge Georgians in the affected areas to remain calm, be prepared and make informed, responsible decisions as we continue to monitor Hurricane Matthew’s path,” Deal says.
While the hurricane is expected to have no significant impact on Habersham and surrounding counties, the storm may produce widely scattered showers Friday and possible wind gusts of 20-25mph Saturday.
READ: Exclusive Habersham County 7-day forecast
If you or someone you know needs help locating shelter, contact your local authorities, download the Ready Georgia app or visit GEMHSA’s website. A map of shelters is also available on the American Red Cross website.
The 30 counties currently under states of emergency are Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Brantley, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Echols, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Glynn, Jeff Davis, Jenkins, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Pierce, Screven, Tattnall, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware and Wayne Counties.
For Hurricane Matthew updates visit www.gema.ga.gov.
