Gilmer Prepares for Irma Fallout

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ELLIJAY, GA – Gilmer County Citizens are preparing for the coming storms from Hurricane Irma. Some are stocking up on food, others on gas.

Gilmer's Hotels, such as the Comfort Inn by Wal-Mart, are reporting near full capacity with the influx of evacuees.

Gilmer’s Hotels, such as the Comfort Inn by Wal-Mart, are reporting near full capacity with the influx of evacuees.

Gilmer County Public Safety is also following suit with preparedness checks on equipment and staff readiness, according to Director Tony Pritchett. Gilmer has already seen an influx of people from the southern parts of our state as hotels are currently filling to capacity. Pritchett tells FYN that emergency services have reserves agreements and the county’s fuel truck ready in case of shortages and all emergency responders are being put on stand-by should the storm take a turn towards our county.

In fact, it is the uncertainty of the storm’s path that is what is keeping everything in Gilmer on edge. Gilmer has certain resources we could send to other parts of the state if Gilmer was not under threat. However, Pritchett said he is waiting to send out resources until he is certain that Gilmer is safe and the resources are available.

The traffic in Gilmer has actually already increased from both Georgia and Florida Evacuees fleeing the path of Hurricane Irma.

The traffic in Gilmer has actually already increased from both Georgia and Florida Evacuees fleeing the path of Hurricane Irma.

In case of that possibility, Pritchett says he is staying in direct contact with Georgia’s State Emergency Management Teams for preparedness.

Pritchett went further with FYN saying, “Folks need to make preparations to be self-sufficient for a period of 48 to 72 hours in the way of power supply, in the way of food, water, and individual needs. Obviously, if you live somewhere near a water way or a flood prone area, you need to pay very close attention because floods can absolutely come with very little notice and can be into that residence very quickly… Pay very close attention to the warnings and the things that are told across the media from Emergency Services… If we are saying you need to evacuate from flood prone area, you need to do it right then and not wait until its too late.”

More preparations are being implemented for citizens including pre-chosen shelter areas at the Gilmer County Civic Center or one of the gyms at either the high school or the middle school. Depending on the situation any of these could be utilized and citizens are advised to stay with media notifications of which shelters to go to.

While supplies aren't gone, stores like the Ingles in East Ellijay are already showing signs of both citizens and evacuees preparing for the coming storms.

While supplies aren’t gone, stores like the Ingles in East Ellijay are already showing signs of both citizens and evacuees preparing for the coming storms.

Still, others continue to prepare in their own way, testing generators and stocking up on necessities from local supermarkets. Many companies in North Georgia have already sent extra linemen and utility workers to the devastation in Texas. So, it will remain to be seen if that makes an effect on the coming storms.

Pritchett confirmed with FYN that they do expect to see a slight uptick in standard emergency calls with the influx of more people to the county, but he expects no issues with the readiness checks and extra preparations in place.

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