Governor Perdue Declares State of Emergency in Seven Counties

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue issued an Executive Order yesterday declaring a State of Emergency for seven counties impacted by a severe weather system that generated torrential rainfall throughout Georgia this past weekend. The emergency declaration covers Crisp, Candler, Dodge, Emanuel, Marion, Stewart and Sumter counties and allows state resources to be used to assist these local governments.

“While we are very fortunate that there have been no lives lost or injuries reported as a result of localized flooding around the state, more than 250 Georgia roads have been damaged or closed,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Our goal is to assist those counties that do not have the resources to handle extensive repairs.”

The Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) has been in the process of evaluating damages and will be coordinating assistance with local road supervisors in the declared counties. In addition, the Georgia Office of Homeland Security-Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and the National Weather Service’s Southeast River Forecast Center continue to monitor rivers in the Flint and Ocmulgee River Basins for potential flooding problems.

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

Text of the Executive Order is provided below.

Executive Order

WHEREAS: On March 26, 2005 a weather system with torrential downpours and severe thunderstorms moved through the State of Georgia, exacerbating flooding in the following counties: Candler, Crisp, Dodge, Emanuel, Marion, Stewart, and Sumter. Rivers are continuing to rise and overflowing the banks; such flooding is forecast to continue through April 1, 2005.

WHEREAS: Said heavy rains and flooding has caused major destruction and damage to roads, bridges, culverts and other public and private properties in the above-mentioned counties.

WHEREAS: The assistance of the government of the State of Georgia is necessary to protect the public health, preserve the safety of the public, keep property damage to a minimum, and to restore the social and economic welfare of the citizens in the above-mentioned counties.

WHEREAS: In light of these circumstances and in conjunction with the authority vested in the Governor by virtue of Article 3, Section 38-3-51, of the Georgia Emergency Management Act of 1981, as amended to promulgate reasonable orders, rules and regulations as are deemed necessary to protect 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 above mentioned counties for a period of ten days until the midnight on April 8, 2005 and that personnel and equipment resources of the State of Georgia be made available to assist in the response and recovery activities currently begin undertaken in the above mentioned counties, and that the Georgia Emergency Management Agency activate the Georgia Emergency Operations Plan.

THIS 29th DAY OF MARCH, 2005.

(Signed: Sonny Perdue)_

GOVERNOR