Last night Gov. Sonny Perdue issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency in 17 counties affected by heavy rain and severe weather that passed through Georgia. The counties are Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Crawford, DeKalb, Douglas, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens and Walker counties.

Today the Governor and GEMA Director Charley English are doing a fly-over of flooded areas to view the scope of damage. GEMA’s current priorities are focused on responding to requests for assistance from local authorities.

Also note the following agencies have been partially activated in the State Operations Center:

Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia State Patrol, Dept of Transportation, Dept of Human Services, Dept of Natural Resources/Environmental Protection Division, Dept of Agriculture, Dept of Defense, Georgia Emergency Management Agency,.

At this time, there are no unmet needs. GEMA is constantly monitoring the situation and staying in touch with the local emergency management agencies.

Fatalities Reported to Date:

7 total

4 in Douglas county

1 in Gwinnett County

1 in Carroll County

1 in Chattooga County

There are currently 57 residents being reported at the Chattooga County Shelter.