GA State Of Emergency Declared Due To Milton; Helene Order Extended

GEORGIA — Gov. Brian Kemp on Tuesday extended a current state of emergency due to Hurricane Helene's recent blow to the state and ordered a new state of emergency due to Hurricane Milton.

His measure comes amid predictions of Milton's catastrophic approach to Florida's west coast, specifically in the Tampa Bay area, in the already rattled southern region of the U.S.

The National Weather Service on Monday told Patch that Milton's wind field could bring flooding and tropical-storm force winds to Georgia.

Helene killed at least 130 people across six states, with at least 25 of them being in Georgia. The storm slammed Georgia overnight Sept. 27, knocking down trees and power lines and causing other tragic damage.

"For as long as needed, we will work with those on the local level to ensure resources are available for those who need them following this devastating storm," Kemp said of his Helene order.

The state of emergency order issued after Helene will now expire on Oct. 16. A statewide gas tax suspension is also in place.

Kemp said Milton is expected to travel along the southern and southeastern portions of Georgia though the NWS said Monday the storm may not directly pass through the state.

Power lines could fall, trees could be downed, flooding could occur and debris may be of concern with Milton in some Georgia counties, Kemp said.

RELATED:

• 'Extremely Dangerous' Cat. 4 Hurricane Helene Nearing Gulf Coast
• GA Firefighter Killed In Hurricane Helene Among 15 Storm Deaths
• Local State Of Emergency Ordered In Cobb Co. Amid Hurricane Helene
• Tornadoes, Power Outages And Flooding Possible With TS Helene In GA
• Aid Offered To GA SNAP Recipients Who Lost Food During Helene
• Hurricane Milton: Tropical Storm Warning Issued Along GA's Coast
• Flooding, Tropical-Storm Force Winds Possible With Milton In GA
• Tropical Storm Warning Remains In Effect On GA Coast Due To Milton
• Despite Rumors, No 3rd Hurricane Currently Approaching Southeast

The state of emergency due to Milton was issued for Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Berrien, Bibb, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Butts, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Cook, Crisp, Dougherty, Echols, Effingham, Evans, Glynn, Houston, Jeff Davis, Lanier, Liberty, Long, Lowndes, McIntosh, Monroe, Muscogee, Pierce, Screven, Tattnall, Toombs, Ware and Wayne counties.

The Atlanta Motor Speedway is opening campsites for Florida evacuees at its Hampton attraction, and the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency said GEMA is staging meals ready to eat for community support.

"Our teams are also continuing to respond to the needs arising from Hurricane Helene," GEMA said in a Facebook post.

Meanwhile, a Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster recovery center opened in Lowndes County, one of the hardest-hit areas during Helene in Georgia.