WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Austin Scott (GA-08) today released the following statement in response to Hurricane Irma’s projected path through the state of Georgia and additional emergency declarations made by President Donald Trump and Georgia Governor Nathan Deal:

“I urge folks in South and Middle Georgia to take precautions in advance of Irma’s projected landfall early next week,” said Rep. Scott. “As we saw in the aftermath of the storms in South Georgia in January, homes and businesses in our communities can be vulnerable to storm damage. Tornadoes, widespread rains, and flooding can occur anywhere, so you should be mindful of these threats and can benefit from taking the necessary precautions to protect your home and your family. Severe weather is a part of life, but diligence and preparation can help reduce the impact on your family, home, and business.”

Currently, the state of emergency extends to the following 30 counties, with the potential for more to be added over the weekend and into next week: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Burke, Candler, Clinch, Coffee, Echols, Emanuel, Jenkins, Jeff Davis, Pierce, Screven, Tattnall, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Bulloch, Effingham, Evans, Bryan, Chatham, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Waybe, Brantley, Camden, Charleton, and Glynn.

If you are seeking assistance in Atkinson County in Georgia’s Eighth Congressional District, please call the Atkinson County State of Emergency Contact at 912-422-3968. Additional county-specific contacts will be released by Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA) once declared in a State of Emergency by Governor Deal’s office. For information on your State of Emergency County Contacts, please visit http://www.gema.ga.gov/.

You can follow http://www.noaa.gov/ for the latest forecasts, watches, and warnings from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Hurricane Center. You can also follow http://www.gema.ga.gov/ for information on preparedness tips, evacuation information, shelters in your area, and additional state of emergency declarations.

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