Hurricane Michael: Georgia, Alabama Declare State of Emergency

Top video shows Michael's winds rocking Royal Caribbean cruise ship

The governor of Georgia has declared a state of emergency for 92 counties ahead of Hurricane Michael’s landfall on Oct. 10.

“The state is mobilizing all available resources to ensure public safety ahead of Hurricane Michael,” said Gov. Nathan Deal in a statement on Oct. 9. The declaration is effective for seven days.

“In light of the storm’s forecasted track, I encourage Georgians in the affected counties to be prepared and remain vigilant. We will continue to monitor Hurricane Michael’s path and (the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency) is leading our preparedness efforts. We are also working with federal, state and local officials to provide public shelter and accommodate those evacuating from other states,” he said.

Florida has declared a state of emergency over Hurricane Michael. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey issued a state of emergency on Oct. 8.

A satellite image of Tropical Storm Michael taken Oct. 8, 2018. NOAA/Reuters

“Alabama is once again in the path of a hurricane, but I know Alabamians will once again come together and be prepared for whatever Michael may bring,” Ivey said in a statement. “On the state level we are prepared, now is the time for residents in south Alabama to review your emergency preparedness plans and also get prepared. Most importantly, heed all warnings and instructions from local authorities.”

The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that the storm will hit the Florida Panhandle or Florida Big Bend area on Wednesday before hitting the southeastern United States on Wednesday night and Thursday.

“Michael is expected to become a major hurricane later today, and remain a dangerous major hurricane through landfall. Significant weakening should occur as the center moves inland over the southeastern United States, but re-strengthening as an extratropical low is expected when the system moves over the western Atlantic,” reads a discussion of the storm from the NHC at 11 a.m. on Oct. 9.

The 92 counties in Georgia under the governor’s declaration are: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Baker, Baldwin, Ben Hill, Berrien, Bibb, Bleckley, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Calhoun, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Chattahoochee, Clay, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Crawford, Crisp, Decatur, Dodge, Dooly, Dougherty, Early, Echols, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Glynn, Grady, Hancock, Houston, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Jones, Lanier, Laurens, Lee, Liberty, Long, Lowndes, Macon, Marion, McIntosh, Miller, Mitchell, Montgomery, Muscogee, Peach, Pierce, Pulaski, Quitman, Randolph, Richmond, Schley, Screven, Seminole, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Tattnall, Taylor, Telfair, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Turner, Twiggs, Upson, Ware, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Webster, Wheeler, Wilcox, Wilkinson, and Worth.

Cruise Ship Caught

Royal Caribbean cruise ship Empress of the Seas was got caught in Hurricane Michael’s outer bands, CNN reported on Oct. 9. Snapper Tams, a passenger on the Royal Caribbean ship, captured video footage of stormy seas, heavy rain, and harsh winds caused by the storm.

He said the ship sat for a few hours as the storm moved through the Yucatan Channel in the Gulf of Mexico. “Seas are still somewhat rough,” he told the network on Oct. 9. “Last night they were about 13-15’ swells.”