The latest: DeKalb County, city offices to close during Hurricane Irma
DeKalb County Georgia. Source: Google Maps.
DeKalb County, and the cities of Decatur, Atlanta and Tucker are closing their offices Monday, Sept. 11, in anticipation of bad weather from Hurricane Irma.
Avondale Estates City Manager Clai Brown said city offices will be open on Monday.
Local school systems have cancelled classes on Monday and every local school system except Atlanta has cancelled classes for Tuesday as well. Atlanta Public Schools will assess the situation before making a decision about Tuesday.
Here’s the latest.
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From DeKalb County:
DeKalb County Offices, Facilities to Close during Hurricane Irma
Residents urged to shelter in place
DECATUR, Ga. – DeKalb officials are urging residents to exercise caution after the National Weather Service issued a tropical storm warning with tropical storm force winds and rain arriving as early as Monday morning for DeKalb County and the Atlanta area.
The DeKalb Emergency Management Agency is urging residents to shelter in place during the event and stay off the roads to allow emergency crews to respond to the anticipated calls for downed trees and power lines.
As a result of anticipated inclement weather, DeKalb County offices, senior centers, libraries and recreation centers will be closed Monday and Tuesday.
County employees who are not required to deal with the emergency conditions do not have to report to work.
All sanitation service will be suspended Monday. Customers are urged to secure their garbage containers during the high winds.
Employees under the direction of elected officials other than DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond should contact their supervisors about their work schedules.
The DeKalb County courts will be closed Monday. A decision about Tuesday’s schedule has not been made.
All DeKalb County Board of Health locations will be closed Monday and Tuesday.
The DeKalb County School District and City Schools of Decatur will be closed Monday and Tuesday. Atlanta Public Schools will be closed Monday.
For updated information about road closures and other pertinent information during the event, go to www.dekalbcountyga.gov/Irma
From the city of Atlanta:
City of Atlanta Government Offices and Municipal Court of Atlanta to Close on Monday, September 11, 2017
ATLANTA – The City of Atlanta announced today that government offices and the Municipal Court of Atlanta will be closed on Monday, September 11, 2017. Streetcar service has also been suspended until Tuesday, September 12, 2017. All essential and emergency personnel should report to work at their regularly-scheduled time. All non-essential employees should remain at home. If you have a question about whether or not you are an essential employee, please contact your manager.
The Department of Public Works also announced that trash collection will be suspended on Monday, September 11 and Tuesday, September 12. Monday’s collections will occur on Wednesday, Tuesday’scollections will occur on Thursday, Wednesday’s collections will occur on Friday, Thursday’scollections will occur on Saturday and Friday’s collections will occur on Sunday. Please keep trash bins secured inside and do not place cans outside until your newly-scheduled pick-up date because of the potential for high winds to blow over the cans and spill contents.
The Department of Watershed Management (DWM) has been working diligently to maintain a continuity of operations in response to high winds that could impact power at our water treatment plants. A coordination of efforts has been underway between DWM and the Department of Public Works to ensure that stream beds have been cleared of debris as well as identifying hot spot locations that are often impacted by high water. The DWM team has conducted two sweeps to clear debris from storm drains at 152 locations throughout the city and we are continuously monitoring the level of streams with stream gages that provide real-time monitoring as well as water levels in manholes. As we continue to assess the tropical storm impacts to the city, the DWM team will actively respond to service requests regarding surface flooding and dispatch resources to assess and solve any issues that arise.
As Hurricane Irma approaches the State of Georgia, Atlanta remains under a tropical storm warning. The main threats to the metropolitan Atlanta area are heavy rain, strong winds, possible flooding, and power outages. Residents are encouraged to plan accordingly by following these important tips:
- Develop a family disaster plan.
- For real time emergency weather notifications, sign up for NotifyATL at www.atlantaga.gov/notifyatl.
- Assemble a disaster supplies kit.
- Protect your property prior to the storm: trim trees and shrubbery, make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs, clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts. If you live in a flood plain or are prone to flooding, follow flood preparedness precautions.
- Secure planters and outdoor furniture.
- If told to evacuate, tell someone outside of the storm area where you are going.
- After a storm, make a list of any property damage and document with photos and video for insurance claims.
- Charge your phone and other electronic devices in case you lose power.
- Try to stay off the roads during the storm.
- If you must drive, do not drive through floodwaters as they can be extremely hazardous. Turn around – don’t drown.
You can find up-to-date information about preparations by visiting atlantaga.gov or checking the City of Atlanta’s Twitter account at @CityofAtlanta. For information on open shelters in the State of Georgia, please visit the Georgia Emergency Management Agency website at gema.ga.gov. For the latest information on MARTA schedules, please visit www.itsmarta.com.