STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR WINTER WEATHER

DEKALB COUNTY, GEORGIA
EXECUTIVE ORDER 25-01

BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER:

STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR WINTER WEATHER

WHEREAS: DeKalb County (the “county”) is now experiencing winter weather in the form of an extreme cold front with dangerously low temperatures, snow and ice accumulation, including black ice on roadways, that could impact the county through Thursday, January 23, 2025, or longer as subfreezing temperatures may continue through the week; and

WHEREAS: The current winter weather conditions may affect the lives and property of the citizens of the county; and

WHEREAS: O.C.G.A. § 38-3-51 vests the Governor with the authority to bring emergency situations under control by issuing orders, rules, and regulations to protect the safety and welfare of the public; and

WHEREAS: The Governor has declared a state of emergency for winter weather, including corresponding emergency orders, rules, regulations; and

WHEREAS: O.C.G.A. § 38-3-28 authorizes DeKalb County, a political subdivision of the state, to supplement the Governor’s emergency orders, rules, and regulations; and

WHEREAS: The Code of DeKalb County, as Revised 1988, Section 11-4 vests the Chief Executive Officer with the power to declare a state of emergency and to take such emergency actions as may be necessary to promote and secure the safety, protection and well-being of the inhabitants of the county; and

WHEREAS: In consultation with County public safety and emergency preparedness officials, I have determined that the following actions are necessary and appropriate to protect the health, safety, and welfare of DeKalb County’s residents and visitors.

NOW, THEREFORE, PURSUANT TO O.C.G.A. § 38-3-28 AND THE CODE OF DEKALB COUNTY, AS REVISED 1988, SECTION 11-4, AND THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF DEKALB COUNTY, GEORGIA, IT IS HEREBY

ORDERED: That a State of Emergency exists in DeKalb County, Georgia due to the severe winter weather event affecting the county beginning January 21, 2025.

IT IS FURTHER

ORDERED: That all necessary resources of the county be made available to assist in the response and recovery activities throughout the county, including clearing roads, with a priority of roads with critical facilities such as hospitals, fire and police stations, and other critical public safety and emergency facilities.

IT IS FURTHER

ORDERED: That the public be reminded of the hazardous road conditions and to stay off the road to avoid making roads impassable by blocking the road with stalled and/or abandoned vehicles and thereby jeopardize public safety’s ability to respond quickly.

IT IS FURTHER

ORDERED: That the public be reminded to call 911 for true emergencies only to avoid unnecessary use of critical emergency and public safety resources for non-emergency calls and requests.

IT IS FURTHER

ORDERED: That if one or more of the provisions contained in this Order shall be held to be invalid, in violation of state law and/or the Code of DeKalb County, as Revised 1988, or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, violation, or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Order, but, in such case, this Order shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision had never been contained within the Order.

IT IS FURTHER

ORDERED: That this Order is intended to supplement the January 20, 2025, Governor’s Executive Order declaring a state of emergency for winter weather.

IT IS FURTHER

ORDERED: That this Order shall be effective upon signature.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Chief Executive Officer that DeKalb County, Georgia is under a state of emergency and the appropriate resources shall be allocated and the public shall be notified as stated herein.

This 22nd day of January 2025.

(Signature)
LORRAINE COCHRAN-JOHNSON
Chief Executive Officer
DeKalb County, Georgia