Gov. Nathan Deal today expanded the state of emergency to include Gordon, Macon, Towns, Troup and Wilkes Counties. Deal also extended the emergency declaration, issued last week for Fannin, Gilmer and Pickens Counties, to Jan. 7, 2016.
Under Director Jim Butterworth, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security (GEMA/HS) is coordinating disaster response efforts in areas with widespread flooding with assistance from the Georgia Department of Transportation, the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Natural Resources. GEMA/HS is also working with local authorities to ensure resources and assistance are made available. Evacuation shelters will open in communities as needed.