Voluntary Evacuation
Changes in the Hurricane Ian forecast include increased storm surge of up to 6 feet. Camden County residents in coastal, low lying, and flood prone areas are encouraged to voluntarily evacuate due to rising water, flooded roadways and potential impact to bridges as Ian moves closer.
Locations include:
- Downtown St. Marys
- Point Peter
- Sheffield Island/Harrietts Bluff
- Dover Bluff
*Some locations are included due to bridge dependency.
Be aware that flooded bridges and roadway will prevent emergency services from reaching you. Additional updates will be sent as the situation changes.
State of Emergency/Office Closures
Camden County Board of Commissioners have issued a State of Emergency Declaration effective Tuesday, September 27, 2022, until rescinded. Officials from the Camden County Board of Commissioners and the Cities of Kingsland, St. Marys, and Woodbine jointly agreed to close all local government offices Wednesday, September 28, 2022, through Friday, September 30, 2022. The safety of our staff and customers are our first priority.
All Camden County residents should prepare now for tropical activity and rapidly changing conditions and are urged to secure loose outdoor objects. Take all precautions to protect life and property.
Camden County residents should strongly consider voluntary evacuation in low lying areas. Locations that have flooded in the past are likely to flood during this tropical event.
Watches and Warnings
Camden County is currently (As of 09/28/2022 at 5:00 p.m.) in the following watches/warnings:
- STORM SURGE WARNING
- HURRICANE WATCH (Coastal Camden)
- TROPICAL STORM WARNING
- FLOOD WATCH
A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, somewhere within this area within the next 36 hours.
A Hurricane Watch means hurricane-force winds are possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours.
A Tropical Storm Warning means tropical storm-force winds are expected somewhere within this area within the next 36 hours.
Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible.
Please take time now to prepare for tropical cyclone impacts to our area. Continue to monitor trusted sources for additional updates.
Prepare for Ian
Residents should prepare now for tropical activity and rapidly changing conditions and are strongly encouraged to secure loose outdoor objects and clear clogged gutters. Ian is forecast to impact our community beginning Wednesday and impacts may include heavy rain, wind, and an increasing threat of tornadoes. Areas that have flooded in the past may flood during this tropical event. Households should review their emergency plans and check their emergency supply kits. More preparedness information is available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s ready.gov.
Local residents are also encouraged to visit the National Hurricane Center, www.nhc.noaa.gov, and the National Weather Service Office in Jacksonville, www.weather.gov/jax, as trusted sites for weather related information. In addition, Camden County residents are urged to sign-up for the CodeRED Emergency Notification System by visiting www.camdencountyga.gov/CodeRED or texting “CamdenCodeRED” to 99411. CodeRED is critical during situations like this as a direct method of communication from Camden County EMA to your landline, cell phone, or email. TDD/TTY service is also available. Participants will be notified in the event of emergency situations or critical community alerts.
Camden County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), the Camden County Sheriff’s Office, and in partnership with the cities of Kingsland, St. Marys, and Woodbine, along with Camden County Schools, and the National Weather Service (NWS) will coordinate incident response and public communications. Local residents should continue to monitor Camden County Website, Camden County EMA Facebook and Camden County EMA Twitter for updates.
Helpful Links: