Hurricane Irma Evacuees Seek Higher Ground

Hiawassee, GA – Towns County is beginning to feel the impact of Hurricane Irma, one of the most powerful Atlantic storms in recorded history, as residents in the projected path head toward higher ground.

Southern Florida expects to begin experiencing the hurricane’s wrath as early as Saturday morning. Where the storm will make landfall isn’t certain, but residents from southeastern states are taking the threat to heart.

As mandatory evacuations continue in coastal regions, Hurricane Irma has the potential to create gridlock in Florida as evacuees attempt to travel north. There are reports of gas shortages throughout the Sunshine state.

“Do not wait for this storm to come,” Florida Governor Rick Scott said. “Get out now.”

Gabriel Chastain, an assistant manager at the Holiday Inn in Hiawassee, says the hotel has seen a sharp increase in reservations due to Hurricane Irma’s approach. Chastain says rooms are nearly sold out for the coming week, mainly filled with residents from Florida and southern Georgia.

Local stores and gas stations are seeing a spike in sales as citizens prepare for the storm.

Joan Truman, a retired elementary school teacher from Florida’s east central coast, decided it was best to heed warnings and evacuate her home state. “I’ve rode out hurricanes [in Florida] before, but this one made me especially antsy. We thought it was best to pack up and visit our son in Hiawassee until Irma had passed. After seeing the footage from Texas when Hurricane Harvey hit, it’s better to be safe than forever sorry. The higher the altitude, the safer I feel,” the soft spoken lady tells Fetch Your News.

Towns County’s Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Rickey Mathis says northern Georgia is subject to heavy rainfall, strong winds, potential flooding, and fallen debris if Hurricane Irma impacts the state. Director Mathis says he received a call from the Department of Agriculture, inquiring about pet friendly shelters, but he isn’t aware of specific weather warnings for Towns County at this time. Director Mathis was also notified of a request for available personnel to assist with efforts in Florida should the hurricane prove to be as destructive as predicted by forecasters.

“We’re waiting and watching the entire situation closely,” EMA Director Mathis says.

Towns County EMA maintains communication with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), and assures Fetch Your News that necessary updates will be provided on county developments as the storm draws near.

“Though it’s too soon to tell just how Hurricane Irma will impact Georgia, we are urging everyone to take steps to prepare now,” said GEMA/Homeland Security Director Homer Bryson. “We will keep the public updated with new information, but we encourage Georgians to ensure their plans are in place.”

For information on how to prepare, visit http://ready.ga.gov/

Follow Fetch Your News for local updates as we continue to track Hurricane Irma’s path.