City of Savannah, GA
09/26/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/26/2024 16:33
Hurricane Helene News Release #2
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 26, 2024
CONTACT:
Office of Communications
Hurricane Helene News Release #2
City offices to open at 10 a.m. on Friday; Yard Waste Collection on Saturday
SAVANNAH - City operations and offices remained open on Thursday. Based on anticipated impacts from Hurricane Helene, City of Savannah offices will open at 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 27.
All essential emergency services including public safety, water and sewer, stormwater, park and tree, and traffic engineering will respond at full capacity throughout the event as weather permits.
The City's Sanitation Department will not operate street sweeping Thursday evening. Yard waste pickup will be postponed from Friday collection to Saturday collection this week to allow residents to gather any storm-related yard debris and place at their usual collection point.
The Recorder's Court traffic docket scheduled for 9 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 27 is canceled. All matters for the docket will be rescheduled.
Due to roadway flooding during the day on Thursday the City of Savannah has closed nearly 20 roads and anticipate more closures through Friday due to overnight impacts. Updates on road closures and other storm-related information can be found at savannahga.gov/stormhelene.
As of 6 p.m. Thursday, Chatham County is under a Tropical Storm Warning and Tornado Watch. Forecasted impacts include 2-4 inches of rainfall with a 1-3 ft. storm surge possible. The greatest impact may come from high winds. There is currently a 90% chance of Tropical Storm winds arriving Thursday evening. The peak wind forecast is 25-35 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. The situation is currently favorable for tornadoes.
Residents are reminded that the city-wide siren system will sound when a tornado warning has been issued by the National Weather Service (NWS). When the sirens sound, residents are asked to seek shelter immediately.
When sounding the sirens during a tornado warning, the system will run selected sirens for three minutes, then pause for ten minutes, then activate for three minutes. This cycle repeats until the warning is canceled by the NWS.
The City will continue to provide residents and businesses with sand and sandbags in the parking lot next to the EnMarket Arena at 1100 W. Gwinnett St. on Thursday until 8 p.m. or until supplies last. Sandbags will be limited to 10 bags per resident. Residents are asked to bring their own shovel to fill the bags.
A state of local emergency was declared on Wednesday, Sept. 25 effective at noon, providing the City Manager authority to execute emergency management plans and procure necessary resources to prepare for and respond to any impacts brought on by Hurricane Helene.
For questions about City services or to submit a service request, residents can call 311. Service requests can also be submitted online at Savannahga.gov/311request.
For updates specific to the City of Savannah, residents are encouraged to follow @cityofsavannah on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter.
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