GORDON COUNTY GOVERNMENT
MEDIA RELEASE
9 A.M. Tuesday, December 29th, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…
In response to recent, widespread flooding in Calhoun and Gordon County, Calhoun and Gordon County officials continue to operate a Unified Command System to coordinate public safety activities. Officials from first responder agencies have been on duty throughout the night monitoring the evolving weather situation.
The local ‘State of Emergency’ remains in effect. The ‘State of Emergency’ allows for enhanced response from local agencies, and provides for the rapid (re)allocation of resources in emergency circumstances. Law enforcement and fire/rescue agencies have deployed extra personnel throughout the community to patrol affected areas and perform rescue operations as needed. 25 people were evacuated from 5 separate locations by emergency personnel last night. A temporary shelter has been maintained at the Sonoraville Recreation Center, but so far all displaced persons have found lodging with family and friends.
This morning’s sunshine is deceptive, in that a new weather front is expected to impact Calhoun and Gordon County late this evening through the night into Wednesday morning (December 30). This system is capable of dumping an additional 2-3 inches of rain which will affect already swollen rivers. Although the water level in the local rivers fell several feet throughout the night hours, this new storm front is expected to worsen the situation to some degree. The possibility of high winds will bring about the danger of falling trees as the ground has been saturated for several days.
27 roads remain closed due to flooding, 20 of which are near major waterways. Expect these roads to remain closed for the next several days. Again, the public is cautioned to NEVER attempt to enter or cross floodwaters! An updated list of road closures may be found on the Gordon County Government website, www.gordoncounty.org, as well as on the Gordon County Facebook Page.
The temporary shelter is closed this morning as it has not been needed thus far, but will be reopened if circumstances displace people from their homes.
Emergency Management officials are consulting with the Army Corps of Engineers to determine what effect the release of additional water from Carters Reservoir will have on water levels in and about our local rivers.
More information will be forthcoming as it becomes available.
Residents should continue monitoring local media outlets and the National Weather Service (www.noaa.gov) to stay abreast of changing weather conditions.