Douglas Co. Under Emergency Declaration As Hurricane Isaias Nears

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — Douglas County has declared a state of emergency ahead of Hurricane Isaias, with county leaders warning residents to prepare for severe hazards.

Douglas County Commission Chairman Dr. Romona Jackson Jones signed the emergency declaration Friday after Gov. Brian Kemp issued a state of emergency on Thursday.

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"Our principal concern is the safety of our citizens," Jones said in a news release. "Please pay attention to the public safety warnings, take the proper precautions and remain weather aware."

Hurricane Isaias is expected to make landfall late Friday near the Alabama-Florida Panhandle, according to the county.

Heavy rain, high winds, possible tornadoes and flooding could threaten Douglas, county officials said.

The local declaration gives government agencies greater access to state and federal resources during an emergency, county officials said. The order also outlines prohibitions on price gouging for critical and necessary goods and services and details closed and restricted areas.

County officials are urging residents to sign up for Alert Douglas to receive emergency notifications and weather alerts. The county said it will also post important updates regularly on its social media channels as the storm approaches.

Douglas County's Emergency Operations Center is monitoring the weather situation around-the-clock, officials said. Transportation and public works crews also remain on standby to respond to hazardous conditions as needed.

The emergency declaration comes as local and state agencies prepare for potential storm impacts across the region. For residents, the immediate message from county government is to stay informed, monitor warnings and be ready for rapidly changing weather conditions through the storm period covered by the state declaration.

This article was compiled with use of artificial intelligence, and was reviewed and edited by Patch.