Hurricane Dorian Georgia: Coastal Evacuation, Curfew Lifted

GEORGIA — After several days of anticipation and preparation, Hurricane Dorian finally made its way past the Georgia coast Thursday, letting residents begin to return to normal life.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp lifted the mandatory evacuation order for people east of I-95 in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Glynn, Liberty, and McIntosh Counties. The Executive Order is available here.

So far, Bryan, Camden, Glynn, and Liberty Counties have authorized re-entry for residents and visitors. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has begun inspection of roads and bridges in affected counties. Some roads and bridges may remain impassable even after rescission of the mandatory evacuation order. The F.J. Torras (St. Simons Island), Downing Musgrove (Jekyll Island), and Tybee Island Causeways are cleared for travel. The Sidney Lanier Bridge is also clear for travel. GDOT is inspecting the US-17 Savannah River Bridge.

GDOT reopened all Georgia roads and bridges after Hurricane Dorian skirted the coast but left no major damage. Individuals who evacuated from the storm are encouraged to drive safely as they start their journey home.

Although Hurricane Dorian only brushed the Georgia coastline, GDOT worked hand-in-hand with its counterparts from the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) and the Georgia State Patrol among others to prepare for the storm and were ready to react should Dorian have brought the type of devastation to Georgia that it wreaked on the Bahamas.

The coordination effort for a major storm that has potential to bring tremendous destruction is massive. From a large room at the State Operations Center (SOC) at GEMA/HS headquarters, the teams coordinate the statewide effort side by side.

GDOT said it had 860 crew members on standby ready to respond with 1,033 pieces of equipment. Crews were staged and prepared to address residual damage from the hurricane as soon as weather conditions cleared. Bridge inspection teams were deployed immediately after the storm had passed to inspect bridges that weathered the high wind gusts.

"I want to thank the countless emergency management officials, law enforcement, first responders, local leaders, and Georgians who worked together to prepare and respond to Hurricane Dorian," Kemp said. "As Governor, I am incredibly proud of our statewide collaboration and deeply grateful that we experienced no loss of life. Many Georgians still have challenges ahead - power outages, fallen trees, and property damage - in the aftermath of this powerful storm, but I am confident that we will address them and emerge even stronger. Now, we must stand together and offer our assistance to the Bahamas and our neighbors, South Carolina and North Carolina."

Damage assessment is underway throughout Chatham County, and returning residents should be aware of the potential for power outages, downed powerlines, and debris in roadways.

All curfews have been lifted, Chatham County said, and officials will be working to get all those who evacuated to a shelter back home.

Winds

• Winds at the Savannah Hilton Head International Airport had gusts up to 45 MPH.
• Tybee Island received gusts near 60 MPH
• Wind gusts are expected to be around 25 MPH inland and 35 MPH on the coast Thursday night.

Openings/Closings

• Chatham County offices will resume normal business hours on Friday, Sept. 6.
• Chatham County Courts are closed through Friday, Sept. 6, and will resume normal hours on Monday, Sept. 9.
• Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools (SCCPS) remain closed through Friday, Sept. 6.
  • All weekend events have been canceled.
  • SCCPS will notify staff and families via the notification system and social media sites when school will resume.
  • Consult the district website for further information.
• Savannah State University will remain closed Friday, Sept. 6.
• Classes will continue to be conducted online using D2L, or other alternative delivery-teaching methods.
• Information about reopening and resuming normal operations will be shared on the university website as well as via social media and the emergency alert apps: LiveSafe and Everbridge.

Georgia Power is in full restoration mode and has 600 personnel in the field from across the state.

See More

• Savannah Civic Center Opening For Hurricane Dorian Evacuees
• Hurricane Dorian: President Trump Declares GA State Of Emergency
• Fleeing Dorian, Dozens Of Pets, Animals Arrive In Atlanta
• 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
• East Cobb Animal Shelter Rescues Dorian-Displaced Cats
• Hurricane Dorian: Savannah Closing Evacuation Area Tuesday Night