Kemp issues statewide emergency for severe weather damage
Announcements, Press Release April 13, 2020
Atlanta, GA – Today Governor Kemp declared a statewide state of emergency following severe storm damage across Georgia over the last twenty-four hours.
“We are praying for those who lost loved ones overnight and the families dealing with severe storm damage. In coordination with private-sector partners, multiple state agencies – including the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, Department of Public Safety, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Transportation, and Georgia Forestry Commission – are working hard to restore power, clear debris, and provide necessary assistance to families across the state,” said Governor Kemp. “This morning, I also spoke with FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor, and I greatly appreciate his offer of federal assistance as we work to rebuild and recover from these storms.”
As of early this morning, 177,000 Georgians were without power. Overnight, there were forty tornado warnings issued across the state.
Tornadoes ravage north, central Georgia, killing at least six people
News April 13, 2020
NORTH GEORGIA — Angry thunderstorms that spawned several tornadoes ravaged north and central Georgia Monday morning (Apr. 13) leaving a trail of death and destruction in their wake. Initial reports indicate at least six people were killed but that number was expected to climb when dawn broke.
There was a tornado warning in Dawson County around 2 a.m. but Fire Chief and EMA Director Danny Thompson said it did not appear that one had touched down. At 7 am., he texted, “We had about a dozen tree-down calls and one wreck that produced only minor injuries.” All county roads are now open.
Danny Thompson
Dawson County opened a storm shelter at Rock Creek Park at 8 p.m. Monday. Thompson said about 16 people took refuge there.
Elsewhere, Georgians were not so lucky. At least five people were killed in Murray County. Another was killed when a tree fell on a home in Bartow County.
Crews all across Georgia are out assessing the damage this morning. There are reports that at least 100,000 north Georgians are without power.
Earlier today, Gov. Brian Kemp tweeted, “This morning, several communities are grappling with serious storm damage, and I ask everyone to lift them up in prayer. Our hearts go out to the loved ones and friends of those we lost.”
Fetch Your News will stay on top of this story and update when needed.
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