Hurricane Threatens Brunswick, Ga

Brunswick, Georgia, has a long history of hurricanes and tropical storms. The city is brushed or hit by a storm every 2.05 years on average, and major hurricanes hit the area once every 38 years. In September 2022, Hurricane Ian passed near Brunswick, bringing strong winds and storm surges. The most recent hurricane to affect the area was Hurricane Idalia in August 2023, which brushed the area with 75 mph winds.

Hurricane Ian

The Sidney Lanier Bridge remained open during the hurricane, while the SSI Causeway and Jekyll Causeway were not closed. However, drivers were advised to be cautious of potential high winds on the causeways and bridges. Certain roads within the City of Brunswick were closed due to their susceptibility to flooding, and stronger storm surges could lead to the closure of causeways.

The storm posed risks of power outages, wind damage, and uprooted trees. Expected storm surges of 4 to 5 feet could potentially shift as the storm progressed. The Emergency Operation Center was scheduled to close on Friday morning, September 30. Citizens were advised to prepare for potential medical needs, ensure access to food, water, and medications, and acquire sandbags if living in flood-prone areas.

Brunswick has a long history of experiencing tropical storms and hurricanes. On average, the city is brushed or hit by a storm every 2.05 years. Major direct hurricane hits occur approximately once every 38 years. The last recorded hurricane to affect Brunswick was Hurricane Idalia on August 30, 2023.

Hurricane Idalia

Brunswick, Georgia, has a long history of dealing with tropical systems, dating back to 1871. On average, the city is brushed or hit by a storm every 2.05 years. Major direct hurricane hits occur approximately once every 38 years. The last recorded hurricane to impact Brunswick was Hurricane Ian in September 2022, which caused wind gusts of up to 35 mph and led to road closures and power outages.

The city's hurricane history includes several notable storms, such as the 1893 hurricane that caused massive flooding, with downtown Brunswick under 6 feet of water, and the 1898 hurricane that left the area under 4 feet of water and resulted in numerous deaths.

As Hurricane Idalia approaches, residents of Brunswick and the surrounding areas should refer to official sources and local authorities for the latest updates, warnings, and safety instructions. It is crucial to prioritize personal safety and follow any evacuation or preparation orders issued by the relevant government agencies.

Glynn County's emergency response

The Glynn County Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency is dedicated to supporting the community with an all-hazard approach to prevention, preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery. The agency utilizes the five principles of the disaster phase cycle to prevent and reduce the harmful effects of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or man-made disasters.

In the case of an impending hurricane, the Glynn County Commission can declare a State of Emergency, giving the chairman of the board the authority to make emergency response decisions, including issuing evacuation orders, without calling for a board vote.

During Hurricane Ian, the Emergency Management Agency provided regular updates on wind gusts, storm surges, road closures, and potential power outages. They also offered detailed preparation instructions, including advising residents to prepare any necessary medications, ensure elderly or indigent family members have food, water, and medications, and providing information on open shelters.

The agency also directed residents to various resources, such as the Red Cross Shelter, the Glynn County Emergency Management Facebook page, and the Department of Public Health for hurricane-related inquiries.

Brunswick's hurricane history

Brunswick, Georgia, has a long history of dealing with tropical storms and hurricanes. Since 1871, the city has been affected by tropical systems 74 times in 152 years, with the last recorded hurricane being Idalia in 2023.

The city has experienced several significant hurricanes over the years. In 1893, a major hurricane with 115 mph winds caused devastating damage, killing over 2,000 people in Georgia and the Carolinas. Downtown Brunswick was reportedly under 6 feet of water for up to 12 hours. In 1898, a hurricane with estimated winds of 135 mph left the area under 4 feet of water, resulting in a significant loss of life.

More recently, in 2022, Hurricane Ian affected the area, causing wind gusts of up to 35 mph and a storm surge of 4-5 feet. The city also experienced the effects of Hurricane Irma in 2017 and Hurricane Dorian in 2019.

Brunswick is considered a moderate-risk hurricane zone, with an average of one direct hurricane hit every 15.2 years. The city's location makes it vulnerable to storms and hurricanes coming from the Atlantic Ocean.

The Salvation Army's response to Hurricane Sally

The Salvation Army is a large-scale disaster relief organisation that provides support to survivors of natural disasters across the United States. With over 7,600 centres of operation in the US, the organisation is well-equipped to offer aid to those affected by Hurricane Sally.

As Hurricane Sally made landfall in Pensacola, Florida, the Salvation Army had already served more than 300,000 meals in Lake Charles and areas impacted by Hurricane Laura. In response to Hurricane Sally, the organisation activated its Emergency Disaster Services to address the immediate needs of survivors and first responders. This included deploying an incident management team to Pensacola to coordinate relief efforts in coastal Florida and Alabama.

To meet the needs of survivors and first responders, sixteen mobile feeding units from Florida, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Tennessee were mobilised. Each unit has the capacity to serve 500 to 1,500 meals per day. The Salvation Army also worked in partnership with Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, which provided a field kitchen to the region.

In addition to their response to Hurricane Sally, the Salvation Army continued to provide assistance to those affected by Hurricane Laura. 21 mobile feeding units remained active in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and the surrounding areas, serving over 300,000 meals. Recognising the emotional toll of natural disasters, the Salvation Army launched the Emotional and Spiritual Care Hotline, offering support in English and Spanish to those seeking a listening ear in the aftermath of the hurricanes.

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