Georgia State of Emergency

Cobb emergency crews prepare for impact of Hurricane Michael

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Cobb emergency crews, Hurricane Michael

Just a little while ago Cobb government public information officer Ross Cavitt sent out the following message and video here of crews working in the Vinings area, related to county preparations for what we might get via Hurricane Michael:

Cobb County’s Emergency Management Agency participated in National Weather Service and GEMA briefings this afternoon. We expect some gusty winds and up to two inches of rain in this area. Much of this will happen after dark tonight.

Cobb County Department of Transportation crews spent much of the day clearing clogged storm drains and preparing their tree clearing equipment in anticipation of work tonight.

Cobb County Emergency Management Director Cassie Mazloom says the tornado threat in the Cobb area is low but still worth monitoring. The biggest concern remains downed trees and power outages, especially since we’ve been in a fairly dry period.

Cobb is included in a hazardous weather outlook area issued this morning by the National Weather Service in Atlanta.

Just before the eye of the storm made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane earlier this afternoon, wind gusts of nearly 150 mph were measured at Tydall AFB near Panama City Beach, Fla., according to news reports there.

Yesterday Gov. Nathan Deal declared a state of emergency in 93 counties in central and south Georgia, which are expected to get a heavy brunt from Michael.

Today he expanded that area to 108 counties, many of which are now under a hurricane warning, according to the National Weather Service, with the threat of devastating amounts of heavy rain and hurricane-force winds, possibly in excess of 70 mph.

The storm is projected to sweep up  part of the Middle Atlantic coast before crossing into the Atlantic Ocean.

In the video, the interview is with Gary Pongetti, Cobb DOT Drainage Division Maintenance Supervisor.

Earlier this morning, the Cobb County School District sent out this message:

We continue to remain in contact with the National Weather Service and are monitoring the track of Hurricane Michael. Our Operations and Transportation teams are ready to get every student to school and back home safely for the rest of the week!

Cobb schools will be on a previously scheduled early release Thursday for a local school professional learning day.

High temperatures in Cobb are expected to cool, starting on Thursday, and not get out of the 70s for the rest of the week. Low temperatures are expected to drop into the 50s, with mostly sunny weather on the weekend after the chance of rain and showers on Thursday.

The National Hurricane Center said today that the only stronger storm on record to reach so far north on the Gulf Coast was Hurricane Camille, a Category 5 storm in 1969 that slammed into the Mississippi coast, killing more than 200 people and reaching winds of more than 170 mph.

 

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Georgia state of emergency declared ahead of Hurricane Florence

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Hurricane Florence, Georgia state of emergency

Early Wednesday afternoon Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal declared a state of emergency for the entire state, including Cobb County, as Hurricane Florence nears landfall along the coast of the Carolinas.

Most of Georgia is included in a cone of possible impact from the powerful storm, which has been downgraded to Category 3 but that is expected to cause significant damage as it moves off the Atlantic Ocean.

Those threats include flooding from heavy rains, along with high winds, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, N.C.

The storm, which is estimated to be 40 miles wide, with tropical winds extending for around 350 miles, is projected to strike somewhere the North Carolina-South Carolina border late Friday afternoon.

Florence could stall before that and may even move in a southerly direction before reaching the coast, possibly restrengthening to Category 4.

The threat to Cobb and metro Atlanta, if any, is expected to be minimal and would come by Sunday and Monday.

The emergency declaration enables the state to mobilize resources across Georgia to react where they may be needed.

Here’s what Gov. Deal said in issuing his emergency declaration:

“In light of the storm’s forecasted southward track after making landfall, I encourage Georgians to be prepared for the inland effects of the storm as well as the ensuing storm surge in coastal areas. GEMA/HS continues to lead our preparedness efforts as we coordinate with federal, state and local officials to provide public shelter and accommodate those evacuating from other states. Finally, I ask all Georgians to join me in praying for the safety of our people and all those in the path of Hurricane Florence.”

No evacuations have been ordered along the Georgia coast, but the effects of the storm could be felt there by Thursday evening.

According to the National Weather Service in Atlanta, the metro area will have clear skies for the rest of the work week, with a slight chance of thunderstorms on Saturday.

By Sunday night, the chance of rain is forecast to be 40 percent, and up to 50 percent Monday and Tuesday.

The NWS office in Atlanta adds that:

“After landfall, there is great uncertainty as to where Florence will go but there are increased indications that the remnants of Florence could affect at least portions of north and central Georgia late Saturday through Tuesday. The situation continues to be a watch and monitor, so please stay tuned to your local forecast.”

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