As we move through the 2026 hurricane season, preparedness remains a top priority for communities across Georgia's First District. While NOAA projects a below-normal Atlantic hurricane season, no seasonal forecast can predict where a storm will make landfall. I encourage every family to take steps now to prepare, stay informed, and ensure they are ready should severe weather threaten our coast.

Our office is always here to help, and there are resources on our website, but please ensure you are closely monitoring local news during storms for the latest updates. It is important to start preparing for the potential impacts of the storm now instead of waiting until the storm is already in our area. Here are some things you can do:

• Update your disaster kit. Make sure to have a three-day supply of non-perishable food and bottled water, a battery-operated radio, a flashlight, extra batteries, cash, medicines, a first aid kit, pet foods, and important family documents.

• Know your evacuation routes and prepare options for overnight lodging. Storm surge can sometimes cut off evacuation routes, so do not delay leaving if an evacuation is ordered for your area. If you encounter floodwaters, remember – turn around, don’t drown.
• Develop an emergency communication plan, which includes the telephone number of a family member or friend outside the area as a designated point of contact, in the event of separation when a storm hits.
• Download the FEMA mobile app for a customizable checklist of emergency supplies, maps of open shelters and recovery centers, disaster survival tips, and weather alerts from the National Weather Service. The app also enables users to receive push notifications reminding them to take important steps to prepare their homes and families for disasters.

Check out this important hurricane preparedness message from Congressman Buddy Carter and Meteorologist Jim Cantore at The Weather Channel. Taking a few simple steps today can make all the difference when severe weather threatens.

For information regarding emergency services in local areas, contact your local emergency management agency:

• Appling: (912) 367-8170
• Bacon: (912) 632-7979
• Brantley: (912) 276-0041
• Bryan: (912) 756-1982
• Camden: (912) 729-5602
• Charlton: (912) 496-1081
• Chatham: (912) 201-4500
• Effingham: (912) 754-8200
• Glynn: (912) 554-7111
• Liberty: (912) 368-2201
• Long: (912) 545-3414
• McIntosh: (912) 437-5170
• Pierce: (912) 449-2041
• Ware: (912) 287-4391
• Wayne: (912) 427-5979

If you need assistance or have questions about State Hurricane Response, call the Georgia Emergency Management at 1-800-TRY-GEMA or (1-800-879-4362).

For medical or health related questions, call the Georgia Department of Public Health at 1-866-PUB-HLTH (1-866-782-4584).

If you are in immediate danger, call 911, but please reserve 911 for emergencies only.

History shows that storm tracks can change quickly and unexpectedly. Residents and visitors in Coastal and South Georgia should continue to monitor local radio and TV stations for updated emergency information and follow the instructions of state and local officials. Visit ready.gov or gema.georgia.gov for more severe weather and hurricane preparedness information and resources.

The greatest danger from a hurricane is often water, not wind. Storm surge, flooding, rip currents, and tornadoes can impact communities hundreds of miles from a storm's center, even if it never makes landfall nearby. That's why staying informed and heeding evacuation and flood warnings is one of the most important steps you can take during hurricane season.