The Rabun County Board of Commissioners declared a Local State of Emergency ahead of Tropical Storm Helene.
The declaration becomes effective at 5 p.m. today Thursday, Sept. 26 and expires on Thursday, Oct. 3 at 5 p.m.
Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency Tuesday with Tropical Storm Helene expected to make landfall along Florida's Gulf Coast Thursday night.
This morning, Sept. 26, the White House issued an Emergency Declaration for the State of Georgia. The Emergency Declaration provides direct federal assistance to supplement response efforts due to emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Helene, according to a press release from Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency.
"Whereas, Rabun County, Georgia is under a Tropical Storm Watch from Hurricane Helene and Flood Watch and could experience significant incidents of catastrophic flooding, fallen trees, power outages, impassible roadways, landslides and damage to property due to the significant rainfall predicted and with wind gust forecasted at 60 mph with this weather event; whereas, to prevent or minimize injury to the citizens and visitors of Rabun County, Georgia and reduce damage to property resulting from this weather event, now therefore, Rabun County, Georgia declares that a Local State of Emergency exists, and is running concurrently with the State of Emergency declared by Gov. Brian P. Kemp," according to Rabun County's local declaration.
"It is ordered that the Rabun County Office of Emergency Management activates the county Emergency Operations Plan, under Direction and Control of the Emergency Management Director, and further ordered, that the Emergency Management Ordinances adopted by the Rabun County Board of Commissioners be operative," according to the declaration signed by Rabun County Board of Commissioners Chairman Greg James.
Surrounding counties have followed suit by issuing local states of emergencies as well.
Rabun County Schools announced that it will implement virtual learning days on Thursday, Sept. 26 and Friday, Sept. 27 due to anticipated weather impacts from Hurricane Helene.
Extracurricular activities as well as weekend activities have been cancelled or rescheduled as well.
This week’s Rabun County Middle School and Rabun County High School JV football games have been canceled because of incoming inclement weather.
RCMS was scheduled to play on the road in the Granite Bowl against Elbert County on Sept. 26, while the JV was scheduled to be away at Commerce on Sept. 26.
The RCHS Homecoming game will be held Saturday morning at 11 am. The Homecoming dance will be held as scheduled.
Rabun County's 911 Center published a weather update on social media Thursday.
"As this current storm passes through our county we want you to be safe and prepared," according to the post. "Have a weather radio or a way to monitor the weather, charge your cellphone, make sure you have a working flashlight with extra extra batteries, be prepared for power outages and have your service provider outage number ready. Please don't call 911 to report power outages and have your service provider outage number ready. Please stay away from downed power lines and be cautious of roadway flooding," according to the post.
Many Rabun County government offices announced early closures and delayed openings or closures in the coming days. Many local businesses announced early closures due to the weather as well.
The Rabun County Board of Commissioners posted that all government offices would close Thursday, Sept. 26 due to the incoming weather. Government offices will delay opening until noon on Friday, Sept. 27.
Chief Judge Russell W. Smith with the Mountain Judicial Circuit issued a Declaration of Judicial Emergency Thursday for Rabun, Habersham, and Stephens Counties.
"[The] Rabun County Clerk’s Office will be closed during the period of the Judicial Emergency beginning at 1 p.m. today, September 26 through Friday, September 27. We plan to reopen on Monday, September 30, 2024 at 8:30 a.m., unless ordered otherwise," according to a social media post.
According to the notice, "whereas, it has been determined that a judicial emergency exists in this county such that there is either a state of emergency as declared by the Governor, a public health emergency, a local emergency or such other serious emergency; whereas, the emergency substantially endangers or infringes upon the normal functioning of the judicial system, the ability of persons to avail themselves of the judicial system, or the ability of litigants or others to have access to the courts or meet scheduled or time deadlines imposed by the court order or rule, statute of administrative rule or regulation; it is ordered that, pursuant to O.C.G.A. 38-3-61, the courts of the Mountain Judicial Circuit (Rabun, Habersham and Stephens Counties) shall be closed from 1 p.m. Sept. 26 through 5 p.m. Sept. 27; and it is further ordered that, pursuant to O.C.G.A. 38-3-62, all court deadlines, time schedules or filing requirements on Thursday, Sept. 26 and Friday, Sept. 27 are extended until Monday, Sept. 30, unless otherwise ordered by the court..."
On Wednesday, Sept. 25, Gov. Brian P. Kemp requested a federal pre-landfall Emergency Declaration for the State of Georgia in anticipation of Hurricane Helene.
As Helene heads to Georgia, Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King is urging Georgians to take several precautions before the storm.
“Hurricane Helene is expected to make landfall along the Gulf Coast as a major hurricane and continue into Georgia with devastating wind speeds,” said Commissioner King. “Because these damaging winds can affect areas hundreds of miles away from the expected trajectory, all Georgians should begin preparing for the storm.”
-Before the storm, make a list of all your covered items (furniture, electronics, appliances, valuables, etc). Make sure to keep an electronic copy of this list, which should include pictures.
-Write down and photograph all property damage brought by Hurricane Idalia, including broken windows, damaged roofs, lost personal items, and more.
-Notify your insurance company of any damages immediately.
-Do NOT attempt significant or permanent repairs.
-If it is safe to do so, you can cover your roof with a tarp or board up broken windows but leave the significant repairs to the experts.
-Save all receipts. They will be useful if you file a claim with your insurance company.
-Beware of scammers.
-Be wary of anyone knocking on your door offering unsolicited repairs to your home.
-Be suspicious of contractors who try to rush you, especially on non-emergency or temporary repairs.
-DO NOT SIGN any document from any contractor until you have spoken to your insurance company DIRECTLY.
-Be especially cautious of out-of-state contractors.
-Do not believe a contractor who says they are supported by the government. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) does not endorse individual contractors or loan companies. Call FEMA toll-free at 800.621.FEMA for more information.
“We have a talented, world-class consumer services team that stands ready to help any Georgian with insurance questions in the wake of Hurricane Helene,” King continued. “Whether you are dealing with a bad actor or just have a question about how to work with your insurance company, call toll-free at 1-800-656-2298.”
Visit https://www.rabuncounty.ga.gov/ema for information on how to be prepared and sign up for Rabun County CodeRed alerts.