Governor Perdue Declares State of Emergency in Seven Additional Counties

ATLANTA– Today Governor Sonny Perdue issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency in seven additional counties affected by tornadoes that struck on Sunday. The seven counties are Clayton, Crawford, Emanuel, Glynn, Jenkins, McIntosh, and Twiggs. The announcement follows an emergency declaration released on Sunday declaring six Georgia counties in a state of emergency: Bibb, Carroll, Douglas, Jefferson, Johnson and Laurens.

“We are working together to ensure response efforts reach all Georgians affected by these storms,” said Governor Sonny Perdue.  “Joint local, state and federal assessment teams will continue to determine the full scope of the damage to businesses, state facilities and residences.”

The executive order allows for state resources to be available for response and recovery activities, and calls for the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) to activate the state’s Emergency Operations Plan.  The Georgia Emergency Management Agency has activated the State Operations Center (SOC) to support the effected counties.

The SOC will be activated until further notice to provide assistance and will continue to monitor the situation.  

Governor Perdue toured damaged areas in middle Georgia early Monday morning.

            “I am always amazed at the strength storms like these carry over great distances,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Although the damage is significant, Georgians continue to respond to the needs of friends and neighbors.”

GEMA is the lead state agency for coordination of emergency and disaster response activities.  For more emergency information and updates, contact GEMA at 1-800-TRY-GEMA (1-800-879-4362) or visit www.gema.ga.gov.

The text of Governor Perdue’s executive order is below:

Whereas:   On May 11, 2008, a severe weather system moved into the State of Georgia producing severe thunderstorms resulting in excessive rain, hail and tornadoes which caused extensive damage in Bibb, Carroll, Clayton, Crawford, Douglas, Emanuel, Glynn, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Laurens, McIntosh, and Twiggs counties; and

Whereas:   The assistance of the government of the State of Georgia is necessary to protect the public health, preserve the public safety, keep property damage to a minimum and restore the social and economic welfare of these counties; and

Whereas:    In light of these circumstances the exercise of the authority vested in the Governor pursuant to Article 3, Section 38-3-51, of the Georgia Emergency Management Act of 1981, as amended is warranted to issue reasonable orders, rules and regulations as are deemed necessary to preserve public health, safety and welfare, and to bring the emergency situation under control within the acknowledged limitations of the powers of the Governor.

Now, therefore, pursuant to the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Georgia, it is hereby

Ordered:     That a State of Emergency exists in Bibb, Carroll, Clayton, Crawford, Douglas, Emanuel, Glynn, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Laurens, McIntosh, and Twiggs counties.

It is further

Ordered:    That personnel and equipment resources of the State of Georgia be made available to assist in the response and recovery activities currently being undertaken in the above mentioned counties and that the Georgia Emergency Management Agency activate the Georgia Emergency Operations Plan.

Any inconsistent previous order is hereby rescinded.

This 12^th day of May, 2008.

Governor Sonny Perdue