Acting on a recommendation from the state's Emergency Operations Command, Gov. Nathan Deal expanded the emergency declaration to an additional 16 counties. The state of emergency now includes 108 counties in Georgia.
 
“This is a dangerous, dangerous hurricane and I urge those in Hurricane Michael’s forecasted path to be prepared, stand vigilant, and be ready to help their neighbors,” said Deal. “At the state level, we are mobilizing all available resources to ensure public safety and coordinating with federal, local and private sector partners to position resources around the state. This hurricane has potential to do serious damage in Georgia communities and at this time, we are encouraging those in the hurricane’s forecasted path to make whatever preparations are necessary. Protecting the lives of families and those who need assistance, including those evacuating from neighboring states, is our primary concern. Georgians are great people who reach out to help their neighbors in times of need, and this will certainly be one of those times for some parts of our state. I once again ask all Georgians to join me in praying for the safety of our people and all those in the path of Hurricane Michael.”
 
Counties added to the expanded emergency declaration include: Butts, Clarke, Columbia, Elbert, Greene, Jasper, Lamar, Lincoln, McDuffie, Monroe, Morgan, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Putnam, Taliaferro and Wilkes.
 
This morning, Deal activated 1,500 Georgia Guardsmen to be placed on standby and deployed as needed to areas affected by the hurricane. This afternoon, Deal visited with emergency responders at the State Operations Center and was joined by state agency officials for a media avail. Although there are currently no evacuation orders in Georgia, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency is working to accommodate those evacuating into Georgia from neighboring states.