ATLANTA – Governor Brian P. Kemp issued a State of Emergency order for all of Georgia on Tuesday in preparation for Hurricane Idalia’s anticipated impact later this week. Currently, the storm system is expected to move through the state Wednesday, bringing heavy rainfall and damaging winds throughout Southeast Georgia. The State of Emergency went into effect upon the governor’s signature Tuesday, August 29, and will expire at 11:59pm on Friday, September 8, 2023.

“We are taking every precaution ahead of Hurricane Idalia’s landfall tomorrow, and I am taking this additional executive action to ensure state assets are ready to respond” said Governor Brian Kemp. “Georgians in the expected impact area can and should take necessary steps to ensure their safety and that of their families. We are well positioned to respond to whatever Idalia may bring.”

This latest executive action related to Hurricane Idalia follows the activation of the State Operations Center on Monday morning, ensuring all relevant state, local, and federal agencies are closely coordinating on storm preparations and response. The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) State Operations Center remains open and is continuing to monitor Hurricane Idalia’s progress as it approaches Florida’s Gulf coast. Governor Kemp, GEMA/HS officials, and other state leaders are working closely with local officials on planned and implemented storm response. GEMA/HS also has teams standing by to deploy to affected counties, when appropriate.