Savannah Standard

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Aug. 5, 2024

CONTACT:

Office of Communications

Tropical Storm Debby News Release #4

City of Savannah to open emergency shelter at Enmarket Arena

SAVANNAH – Due to impacts from Tropical Storm Debby, the City of Savannah has designated the Enmarket Arena as an emergency shelter available for residents with no available shelter. City staff is coordinating with the American Red Cross to open the shelter at 8 p.m. Residents are encouraged to only use the shelter if absolutely necessary as capacity is limited.

The Tompkins Regional Center was opened as an emergency shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness and reached capacity around 7 p.m. The City of Savannah’s partners at Chatham Savannah Authority for the Homeless (CSAH) coordinated shelters for the homeless population on Monday. As of 4:30 p.m., all traditional shelters and Come as You Are Ministries had reached capacity.

Street flooding is currently widespread throughout the City, and while multiple street closures are occurring, extreme caution should be used if driving through the City. For the latest map of flood-prone areas and current road closures in the City visit savannahga.gov/debby.

As of 8 p.m., the City has closed the following streets to traffic:

- Tremont Road from Ogeechee to Dodge

- Anderson St. from Atlantic Ave. to Ott St.

- Henry St. from Atlantic Ave. to East Broad

- Paulsen St. at Park Ave.

- Victory at Cedar Ave.

- Victory at MLK

- Brightwood at Margatha

- W. 48 St. from Stanley to Hopkins

- White Bluff (Southbound) from Johnston St. to Lee Blvd.

The City anticipates additional closures of the following streets:

- 52nd from Montgomery to Exchange

- 51st from Hopkins to Stevens

- Anderson at Paulsen

- Paulsen from 63rd to 60th

- Victory at MLK

- E. Lathrop at Louisville

- Jefferson from 38th to 39th

- Abercorn from 63rd to 66th

- Grove from Anderson to 31st

- Newell from Lathrop to Glass

- Magazine from Feeley to Cornwall

- Ferrill from Exley to Bay

- Habersham from Columbus Lane to 63rd

- Jefferson at 34th

- 60th from Reynolds to Battey

- 37th at MLK

-Thackery from Sylvan to Oakview

City staff is tracking all flooding and rainfall and anticipates more road closures will be possible. Updates will be made at savannahga.gov/floodalert.

Parking Services will open all City garages to the public at 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 5. Residents who live in flood-prone areas may park their vehicles in the garages free of charge. Boats, trailers, and other vehicle attachments are not allowed. Each garage has the potential for flooding and certain areas will be blocked off. Park at your own risk.

All parking spaces on River Street are closed. There will be no enforcement of parking meters on City streets beginning Monday, Aug. 5. Notice will be given before enforcement resumes post-storm.

Savannah residents and businesses are urged to review emergency plans and kits ahead of inclement weather's arrival. Information on preparedness can be found at ready.gov/hurricane.

Currently, Chatham County is under a Flash Flood Warning until 11:30 p.m., a Flood Warning until further notice, Tropical Storm Warning, Storm Surge Warning, and Tornado Watch. The greatest impact will be potential historic rainfall, coastal flooding, storm surge between two and four feet, rip currents, severe flash flooding, and tropical storm force winds.

A state of local emergency was declared on Sunday, Aug. 4, providing the City Manager authority to execute emergency management plans and procure necessary resources in preparation for Tropical Storm Debby's impacts.

For questions about City services or service requests, residents can call 311 or submit requests online.

For updates specific to Savannah, residents are encouraged to follow @cityofsavannah on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter or visit savannahga.gov/debby.

City employees are encouraged to call into the City's emergency information hotline for updates at 833-251-6020.

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