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 Hurricane Idalia News Release #2

City of Savannah to Declare State of Local Emergency

SAVANNAH, Ga. (Aug. 29, 2023) – Based on expected impacts from Hurricane Idalia, Mayor Van R. Johnson, II will declare a state of local emergency in Savannah effective Aug. 30 at 6 a.m.  

A state of local emergency provides the City Manager the authority to execute emergency management plans and procure necessary resources to prepare for and respond to any impacts brought on by Hurricane Idalia. 

Savannah residents and businesses are urged to review emergency plans and kits ahead of the arrival of inclement weather. Information on preparedness can be found at ready.gov/hurricanes. 

City government offices, with the exception of essential emergency functions, will be closed on Wednesday, Aug. 30. A decision regarding Thursday’s operations will be made based on storm impacts.

All emergency essential services, including public safety, water and sewer, stormwater, park and tree, and traffic engineering will respond at full capacity as weather permits.

The following impacts to City services will begin on Wednesday, August 30:

• All non-emergency essential City government offices will be closed.
• In-person payments at the Coastal Georgia Center for utility, tax, license, and other fees will be closed.
• Street cleaning night services will be suspended.
• The Dean Forest Landfill and Bacon Park Convenience Center will be closed.
• Recorder’s Court will be closed.
• In-person services with the Office of Special Events, Film, and Tourism will be suspended.
• Building closures, including all services within, will include City Hall, Civic Center, Community Centers, Cultural Arts Center, Floyd Adams City Services Complex, Savannah Municipal Services Annex and the Savannah Entrepreneurial Center.
• Non-emergency public safety offices will be closed, to include police records.

Sanitation collection services will continue through the day on Tuesday, Aug. 29, but will be suspended on Wednesday, Aug. 30. A modified collection schedule will be announced once the storm has passed. 

Sanitation customers are also reminded to clear properties of debris and secure refuse and recycling carts, as they can become projectiles during high winds. 

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.

Updates on road closures due to flooding will be posted at savannahga.gov/floodalert. For updates specific to the City of Savannah, residents are encouraged to follow @cityofsavannah on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter, or visit savannahga.gov/hurricane  

City employees are encouraged to call into the City’s emergency information hotline for updates at 833-251-6020.