Hurricane Dorian to bring strong winds to Middle Georgia. What to know about latest advisory
Strong winds from Hurricane Dorian are expected to be felt in Middle Georgia starting Wednesday.
The Category 2 storm prompted a wind advisory beginning at 11 a.m. Wednesday and lasting through Thursday for portions of east Middle Georgia, according to an 2 p.m. update from the National Weather Service.
Sustained winds of 15-20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph could bring down tree branches or blow around loose objects, according to the update.
Though weakening, Hurricane Dorian continued to move northeast at 9 mph and was expected to hit the coast of Georgia late Wednesday. After that, the storm is expected to turn north then to the northeast Thursday, according to the update.
The eye of the hurricane was just east of Jacksonville, Florida, about 2 p.m. and it is expected to move near the coast of South Carolina and North Carolina on Thursday through Friday.
Gov. Brian Kemp expanded the State of Emergency to include 21 counties in southeastern Georgia on Wednesday morning.
A little more than 100 people signed in at the south Macon shelter as of Wednesday afternoon, said Connie Hensler, executive director for the American Red Cross’ Central Midwest Georgia Region.
2-1-1 for evacuees
People who have evacuated coastal Georgia and northeastern Florida are just a text message or call away from getting assistance or information.
United Way of Central Georgia, which serves the 14-county area, is using the statewide 2-1-1 contact center in Atlanta to help connect evacuees with resources. Anyone in need can call or text 2-1-1 any time and any day for help with finding shelters, campgrounds, pet shelters, meals or gasoline for the trip back home.
“We provide information so that people who need these things, they know where to go, what types of documents they need,” Carmen Hughey, 2-1-1 Resource Coordinator for the local United Way, said. “It kind of reduces their energy in trying to resolve these issues.”
Since Tuesday, about 115 people had called or texted the 2-1-1 center in Atlanta for help, Hughey said Wednesday afternoon.
Telegraph visual journalist Jason Vorhees contributed to this report.
This story was originally published September 4, 2019 at 10:07 AM.
