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Camden County, Georgia: No Services, Gas Available; Emergency In Effect For Whole State

hurricane irma graphic
Georgia Public Broadcasting

Camden County, Georgia, emergency management officials are asking drivers on I-95 to keep on moving and not stop in their county. 

There are no electricity, water, or sewer services, which is coupled with no fuel supply or accommodations available to serve the public. 

Officials urge all drivers to plan their trips with the knowledge that Camden County will not be able to fulfill their needs.

In a news release, the Camden Board of Commissioners said, “As services are recovered and restored, we look forward to once again welcoming visitors to our community in the future.”

Meanwhile, a curfew is in effect from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. daily until further notice. Camden County officials have decided to close all county offices Wednesday, Sept. 13, and Thursday, Sept. 14. 

In Georgia, a state of emergency still applied to all counties because of the effects of  Irma, which has been downgraded to a tropical depression. State government offices will be closed Tuesday except for essential personnel.

As of early morning Tuesday, Georgia Power reported more than 800,000 customers still without power.

Chatham County evacuees were waiting to learn when they can return home. As the worst of the storm started winding down, crews hit the roads to assess the damage. Early reports show less debris than after Hurricane Matthew last year, but more flooding.

The mandatory evacuation order is still in place for all of Zone A throughout coastal Georgia.

All evacuees are urged not to return to evacuated areas until it’s recommended by local authorities.

State officials are working on a re-entry plan for the area.

The first phase of re-entry is not meant for the general public. It is for emergency personnel to clear roadways, inspect bridges, and do necessary repairs to ensure it’s safe for the general population to re-enter.  

Once re-entry begins, please travel interstates and U.S. highways. They are cleared before state and county roads.

SHELTERS

The American Red Cross has a number of shelters open around the state.

In Albany, the Albany Civic Center is open.

In Atlanta, the Central Park Recreation Center is open.

In Augusta, the Academy of Richmond County, Butler High School, Glenn Hills High School, Glenn Hills Middle School, Trinity on the Hill, Westside High School, Cross Creek High School, the Warren Road Community Center are open.

In Byron, Peach Fire Station Number 1 is open.

In Cartersville, the Church at Liberty Square is open.

In Columbus, the Columbus Civic Center Ice Arena and the Frank Chester Recreation Center are open.

In Cordele, Blackshear Trail Elementary School is open.

In Cuthbert, the First Baptist Church of Cuthbert is open.

In Dublin, Dublin High School, East Laurens High School, and East Laurens Middle School are open.

In Fort Valley, Peach Fire Station Number 6 is open.

In Gainesville, the First Baptist Church of Gainesville is open.

In Grovetown, Liberty Park Community Center and Patriots Park are open.

In Hepzibah, Pine Hill Middle School and Spirit Creek Middle School are open.

In Miller, the Colquitt Freewill Baptist Church is open.

In Macon, East Macon Park, Macon Memorial Gymnasium, the North Macon Park Community Center, the Rosa Jackson Recreation Center are open.

In Preston, Webster County Community Center is open.

In Waycross, Ware County High School, and Waycross Middle School is open.

 

Jessica Palombo supervises local news gathering and production, podcasts and web editorial content for WJCT News, ADAPT and Jacksonville Today. She is an award-winning writer and journalist with bylines including NPR, Experience Magazine, and The Gainesville Sun. She has a master’s degree in broadcast and digital journalism from Syracuse University and is an alumna of the University of Florida. A nearly lifelong resident of Jacksonville, she considers herself lucky to be raising her own children in her hometown. Follow Jessica Palombo on Twitter: @JaxJessicaP