Hurricane Dorian: President Trump Declares GA State Of Emergency

ATLANTA, GA — President Donald Trump has signed an emergency declaration for the state of Georgia, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said Monday morning, as Hurricane Dorian continued moving toward the Southeastern U.S. Trump's declaration means federal money will now be available to any Georgia counties affected by the storm.

Dorian battered Grand Bahama early Monday as the devastating category 5 storm packed 185 mph winds, weather officials said. Some fluctuations in intensity are likely, but Dorian is expected to remain a catastrophic hurricane during the next few days, and now parts of Georgia are expected to receive some of the worst damage. A coastal flood advisory has been issued for parts of eastern Georgia with 3 to 6 inches of rain likely there, isolated 9 inch amounts are possible.

Midday Monday the National Hurricane Center said Dorian remains at Category 4 with 155 mph sustained winds, with the storm continuing west and slowing. The Georgia coast remains at risk for heavy rains and flooding later in the week.

Starting at noon Monday, Georgians who live east of I-95 in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Glynn, Liberty, and McIntosh counties must evacuate, Gov. Brian Kemp has ordered. State highway officials will start a westerly contraflow on I-16 at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 3, to help residents get out of the area.

Dorian's current path shows that it could reach Georgia's coast around 8 a.m. Wednesday as a major hurricane with wind speeds over 110 miles per hour. About 24 hours later, the storm track shows it hovering near the coast of the Carolinas as a hurricane with speeds between 74 miles per hour and 110 miles per hour.

Georgia also became more of a focus for officials as Dorian appeared to shift its course northward, away from Florida, and now threatening the Carolinas and Georgia with heavy rains that could produce life-threatening flash flooding starting on Labor Day.

On Aug. 29, Kemp issued a state of emergency for several coastal counties. The state of emergency is in Brantley, Bryan, Camden, Charlton, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Pierce and Wayne Counties to assist with preparation, response and recovery, Kemp said on Thursday afternoon.

Additionally, Kemp issued an executive order temporarily suspending federal rules and regulations which would otherwise limit the hours that operators of commercial vehicles may drive to ensure an uninterrupted supply of petroleum products, emergency supplies, and food, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency said. This Executive Order also temporarily waives specific weight, height, and length restrictions for vehicles traveling through Georgia for purposes of disaster preparation or relief, subject to Department of Public Safety oversight and permitting.

See also:

• Hurricane Dorian Now Category 5, Threatens Georgia, Carolinas
• Dorian Could Be 'Major Hurricane' With Dangerous Storm Surge: NHC
• Tropical Storm Dorian: Georgia Keeping An Eye Storm's Path
• Hurricane Dorian: How This Impacts Labor Day Weekend In GA
• Hurricane Dorian: State Of Emergency Declared For GA Coast
• Atlanta Motor Speedway Opens Camping To Hurricane Evacuees