Mayor Andre Dickens said at a Wednesday, Sept. 25, press conference that the city of Atlanta is prepared for heavy rainfall, strong winds and potential floods from Hurricane Helene.
The preparation includes a 24/7 staffing plan, activated emergency services and prepared shelters for the unhoused. Response teams, including the Department of Watershed, are monitoring flood-prone areas. The department has already cleared storm drains to mitigate flooding. Various departments are also coordinating tree and storm debris removal.
“We’re seeing the effects of heavy rains that are coming our way,” Dickens said. “We have to get prepared for whatever may come, so we prepare for the worst and hope for the best.”
Gov. Brian Kemp issued a state of emergency for all of Georgia on Tuesday in anticipation of the storm. A tropical storm watch is in effect for North Georgia and metro Atlanta.
Many city schools and businesses are being closed due to the weather. The mayor said all city parks and recreation activities planned for Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 25, are canceled.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has plans for flight cancellations and stranded passengers with concessionaires staying open to accommodate them, the mayor said.
ATL 311 will be operating from midnight to 7 a.m. on Thursday. He also urged residents to sign up for emergency alerts by texting “notify ATL” to 24639.
A joint operations center will open on Thursday at 7 a.m. Representatives from each city department will be there to monitor the weather and weather patterns. Street conditions will also be monitored.
“Our E-911 group has implemented their severe weather action plan, and operators are prepared to shelter in place as needed,” Dickens said. The Westin Hotel will provide rooms for E-911 staff as needed as they work around the clock, he added.
Dickens said the Atlanta Fire and Rescue Department is prepared to assist with everything from swift water rescues to downed tree removals. The Atlanta Police Department is prepared to respond to any safety emergencies throughout the storm.
The city will have a comprehensive list of openings and closings on its website at atlantaga.gov.
