Fresh Loaf

Gov. Sonny Perdue has declared a state of emergency for 17 counties impacted by recent storms and flooding in metro Atlanta. The counties are Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Crawford, DeKalb, Douglas, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens and Walker counties.

“Mary and I are saddened by the human cost the recent storms have wrought… We are currently focused on rescuing victims of the storms targeting Georgia and preventing further damage. State personnel and equipment are being deployed to assist effected communities. The Georgia Emergency Management Agency is coordinating our response and managing the State Operations Center, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Division are deploying boats, high-water vehicles, and testing water. Other state agencies are deploying manpower and additional resources.”

Those other state agencies GEMA will help wrangle:

Georgia Forestry Commission- Manpower and debris clearance, water tanker for Douglas County Hospital, water tender strike teams for structural fire support
Georgia State Patrol – Law enforcement for traffic control, road closures, helicopters
Department of Transportation – Road closure signs, bridge inspection, detours
Department of Human Services- Hospital coordination, shelter coordination, boil water advisories

Perdue says the state Department of Agriculture will help evacuate large animals and find shelter for pets. If you can’t find your pet, the department might be able to connect you with a local missing animals contact.

(File photo by Joeff Davis)

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Gov. Sonny Perdue raised a glass today in honor of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, those we-don’t-exist-till-you-need-us folks who ride, driving water tankers, into the very depths of hell to bring us aid in times of woe. Like if the taps ran out because of that historic drought we’re going through.

The agency received a five-year accreditation from the Emergency Management Accreditation Program for its ability to “coordinate preparedness and response activities for natural and man-made disasters ranging from tornadoes to terrorism.”

What say you, Gov. Perdue?

“GEMA’s accreditation places Georgia in an elite group,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “By meeting the stringent national emergency management program standards, Georgia has demonstrated its national leadership in emergency preparedness efforts.”

Word. Let’s just hope we don’t have to put them to use.

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The Georgia Drought Unified Response Command, a four-agency smorgasbord of acronyms organized by Gov. Sonny Perdue, has unveiled a website where residents can get information. Check it out for news releases and conservation tips by clicking here.

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