Governor Brian Kemp Friday declared a State of Emergency for 91 Georgia counties ahead of the winter weather that’s expected to impact North Georgia and Metro Atlanta over the weekend.
Kemp encouraged Georgians to stay updated on the forecast and “plan accordingly.”
“By being ready and knowing what to do in the event of winter weather, you can help us minimize risk, reduce the time it takes to recover, and most importantly keep everyone safe,” Kemp said during a press conference Friday afternoon.
WATCH Kemp winter weather briefing
The governor’s emergency declaration frees up state resources to more quickly respond to any weather-related issues that develop. It helps to ensure that the state department of transportation, Georgia Emergency Management Agency, and other such agencies are fully staffed and equipped to respond. The governor also called up 1,000 National Guard troops to be on standby, ready to assist if needed.
Kemp also suspended restrictions on truck drivers to ensure an uninterrupted supply of fuel, food, and other goods and supplies that may be needed.
The emergency order takes effect on Saturday, January 15, and will remain in effect for seven days through 11:59 p.m. on January 22.
Counties under State of Emergency
The storm is expected to impact areas north of I-20. Here are the Georgia counties currently under a state of emergency:
Baldwin, Banks, Barrow, Bartow, Bibb, Bleckley, Burke, Butts, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, Columbia, Coweta, Crawford, Dade, Dawson, DeKalb, Douglas, Elbert, Emanuel, Fannin, Fayette, Floyd, Forsyth, Franklin, Fulton, Gilmer, Glascock, Gordon, Greene, Gwinnett, Habersham, Hall, Hancock, Haralson, Harris, Hart, Heard, Henry, Houston, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Jones, Lamar, Laurens, Lincoln, Lumpkin, Madison, McDuffie, Meriwether, Monroe, Morgan, Murray, Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Paulding, Peach, Pickens, Pike, Polk, Putnam, Rabun, Richmond, Rockdale, Screven, Spalding, Stephens, Talbot, Taliaferro, Towns, Treutlen, Troup, Twiggs, Union, Upson, Walker, Walton, Warren, Washington, White, Whitfield, Wilkes, and Wilkinson.
READ Gov. Kemp’s emergency order
SEE ALSO
Winter Storm Warnings issued for parts of Northeast Georgia, Winter Storm Watch expanded
