Georgia ‘dodged a bullet’ but is ready to help neighbors, Kemp says

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ATLANTA (WRDW/WAGT) – Though Georgia escaped the worst of Hurricane Ian, the Peach State is able to assist its neighbors t the north and south Gov. Brian Kemp stated Friday morning,

“We actually dodged a bullet on this one,” Kemp stated.

From the state emergency operations middle, Kemp gave an replace on the storm, which minimize from west to east throughout the Florida peninsula, then went round Georgia and took purpose at South Carolina. Ian is anticipated to make its second landfall by Friday afternoon close to Charleston.

Whereas grateful that Georgia was spared, Kemp stated he’d prepared to assist neighboring states.

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“We proceed to have of us in Florida who’ve actually been devastated,” he stated. “We’re beginning to ask them in the event that they want any of the sources that we have now had lined up, and providing that to South Carolina, as properly.”

Georgia was prepared in case the storm had picked a goal in Georgia, Kemp stated.

“Although we have been overprepared, the storm underdelivered,” he stated. “We stand prepared to assist our pals and neighbors.”

The Peach State hasn’t been solely unaffected:

  • Just a bit over 1,000 folks throughout Georgia have been with out energy as of Friday morning – a quantity Kemp stated could be very low in a scenario like this.
  • There was minimal flooding on the coast, and Kemp stated leaders consider that would proceed all through the day Friday.
  • Port operations stay at a standstill whereas ready for the storm to cross.

In the meantime, state highways are seeing regular visitors flows, and the Lanier Bridge in south Georgia has reopened after being closed for a day for security causes, Kemp stated.

Some Florida residents proceed to shelter in Georgia, and “we’re honored to be serving them,” Kemp stated, including that there’s nonetheless loads of capability in state parks, shelters and accommodations.

Additionally talking on the information convention was Georgia Emergency Administration Director James Stallings, who stated the emergency operations middle stays at “activation stage 1.”

“Georgia has been extraordinarily lucky, however we’re primed and able to assist Florida, South Carolina and probably North Carolina,” he stated.

Adjutant Tom Tom Carden stated the Georgia Nationwide Guard is anticipating deployments to Florida or South Carolina within the aftermath of Ian.

He stated troops is perhaps used for to assist logistics, transportation, particles removing and probably safety efforts.

“We’re able to roll once they want us,” Kemp stated. “We simply have to have the request.”

In South Carolina

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster plans to supply an replace Friday afternoon.

He stated Thursday that whereas the state was prepared, he was involved about human error and South Carolinians not taking the storm as significantly as they should.

Ian “is stronger than some that we’ve had however weaker than others. However the concern is at all times human error and folks taking probabilities, folks driving on the roads once they can’t see the street, making an attempt to exit in a rush to get treatment or to handle or to do one thing they may have completed earlier than the rain and the wind have been upon us and doing it last-minute,” he stated. “Whether or not it’s a hurricane or tropical storm, it’s good to put together.”

What’s forward for South Carolina?

“Wind gusts may attain 60 to 70 mph alongside the coast and inland areas into the forecast observe,” Nationwide Climate Service meteorologist John Quagliariello stated. “There’s many different areas within the central and jap portion of the state probably seeing gusts of 45 to 60 mph at instances. There’s a danger alongside parts of the central and northern South Carolina coast of hurricane drive winds.”

He stated these winds will end in downed timber and energy traces, together with minor injury to roofs shingles and vinyl siding.

“Maybe most regarding is the elevated menace of storm surge flooding,” Quagliariello stated. “Storm surge warnings are actually in impact for the complete South Carolina coast.”

The storm surge might be as excessive as 4 to six toes alongside the southern coast and three to 5 toes in Georgetown, he stated. Charleston’s excessive tide will roll in at midday, because the storm is already dumping rain and produce a storm surge into the realm.

South Carolina Emergency Administration Division Govt Director Kim Stenson stated residents in low-lying areas, notably alongside the coast, ought to have a plan to maneuver to larger floor

McMaster declared a state of emergency Wednesday, which permits state businesses to bypass guidelines and rules that may in any other case gradual responses throughout an emergency scenario. It additionally permits the state to attract down federal funds from FEMA sooner.

He stated he had been in touch with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and stated South Carolina is able to ship any provides this state doesn’t want to assist Florida residents recuperate from the impacts of Ian, which made landfall as a Class 4 storm.

“We’ve ready and gone by loads of hurricanes and storms over time,” McMaster stated. “But it surely’s at all times, it’s at all times one thing that’s sudden that usually may have been averted if folks thought a bit of extra.”

He stated whereas we will’t cease Mom Nature, “we will handle ourselves,” which is why they attempt to sound the alarm so folks could be repaired.

Right here’s a stream of McMaster’s Thursday replace:

The South Carolina Division of Well being and Environmental Management stated it’s intently monitoring Ian and making ready for its potential affect.

“No matter whether or not Ian enters South Carolina as a hurricane or tropical storm, it may have a robust affect on our state,” stated Dr. Edward Simmer, director of the company. “DHEC has been taking the mandatory steps to assist restrict the extent of these impacts and to guard the well being and setting of South Carolina earlier than, throughout and after the storm.”

DHEC, in the meantime, is increasing the providers and hours of its care line starting right this moment. Employees will be capable to reply questions on providers interrupted because of Hurricane Ian and basic questions on medical wants shelters. The quantity is 855-472-3432 and it is going to be open for calls 24/7 till now not wanted.

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