The death toll from Hurricane Helene in Georgia has reached 33, Governor Brian Kemp confirmed during a press conference this morning. This includes three recent deaths in Chatham County, where carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator claimed the lives of three individuals. Kemp emphasized the importance of proper generator usage to avoid further tragedies.
Governor Kemp, who has been traveling across affected areas, noted that recovery efforts are still in progress, with power outages remaining a major concern. At the peak of the storm, 1.3 million Georgians were without power, and while the number has dropped to about 270,000, restoration remains a priority. Georgia Power has indicated that 90% of customers should have power by the end of Thursday, but rural areas served by Electrical Membership Cooperatives may face longer delays due to more severe infrastructure damage.
The governor highlighted the unprecedented nature of the storm, noting that Georgia Power is facing the challenge of replacing 8,000 damaged power poles—significantly more than any previous storm. Some areas are experiencing complete infrastructure rebuilds, which is prolonging the recovery timeline.
Kemp also shared updates on the involvement of federal aid. He recently spoke with President Joe Biden and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who will be visiting the state. While 41 counties have been approved for additional federal assistance, many other counties are requesting more support.
Throughout the press conference, Kemp commended the resilience of Georgia communities and praised everyday heroes who have stepped up to support those in need. He highlighted stories of loss, including two children who were killed by a fallen tree in Washington County, and urged people to keep first responders in their thoughts as they continue working under extreme conditions.
Kemp noted that 2,000 members of the Georgia National Guard have been deployed to assist in recovery efforts, as the state works to rebuild in the wake of one of the most destructive storms in its history.
Governor Kemp’s press conference can be viewed in its entirety here.
