City of Bainbridge -

Important Hurricane Helene Updates: * Bainbridge has implemented a curfew beginning at 6:00 PM tonight to 10:00 AM Friday. * All non-emergency City of Bainbridge offices will be closed Friday, September 27. * If you have not done so already, download the Decatur County EMA app. * To report downed trees blocking city streets call (229) 726-8303. * To report utility outages, use the following: Sewer: (229) 515-0145 Water: (229) 726-6227 Natural Gas: (229) 515-0173 * Please only call 911 for true emergencies. * Please slow down and move over should you happen upon those working on storm cleanup. Stay safe everyone!

Public Advisory:

The city, under the direction of City Manager Roy Oliver, has put together 6 teams that will be stationed through the night at various locations to monitor and assess storm damage. Thanks to this group, our residents can be rest assured of our commitment to the continuity of city services before, during and after the storm, the safety of our city roadways, access to our hospital as well as coordinating with Georgia Power for everyone's benefit. Many of these workers have families of their own but answering the call of a public servant often means giving selflessly. I hope you'll join us in expressing our gratitude to these hard working employees who are committed to our community and our residents!

All non-emergency City of Bainbridge offices will remain closed Friday, September 27. Our crews will be on standby this evening into tomorrow morning and will be available for cleanup of downed trees, limbs and other debris to ensure the safety of our roadways. Please be cognizant of our city work trucks as they are outfitted with safety lights and our staff will also be in safety vests. Please slow down and move over should you see city vehicles and workers performing cleanup duties. Should you need to report a water, sewer or natural gas outage, please use the following numbers: Sewer: (229) 515-0415 Water: (229) 726-6227 Natural Gas: (229) 515-0173 To report downed trees blocking city streets, call (229) 726-8303.

There has been a rumor circulating that Georgia Power will cut service to its customers today, ahead of Hurricane Helene. We have spoken to Georgia Power representatives who have asked us to relay that the rumor is NOT true. Georgia Power will NOT cut service to its customers ahead of any inclement weather.

Curfew Information:

This morning is your last chance to get prepared! While hurricanes are unpredictable and powerful, there are steps we can take to minimize the risks. *Chairs, tables, umbrellas, trampolines and other outdoor items can easily be lifted and thrown by strong winds, posing a significant danger to people and property. It is crucial to secure these items or move them indoors before a hurricane approaches. *Another often overlooked item that can transform into a projectile during a hurricane is your trash can. To prevent this, make sure to securely anchor your trash can to the ground or bring them indoors ahead of a hurricane. This small precaution can go a long way in safeguarding your home from unnecessary risks. *Move any loose outdoor items indoors, including birdfeeders, decorations, and flags/banners. These items may have the potential to blow away and become debris.

Crews will be closing off the Earle May Boat Basin to vehicle traffic this morning. For everyone's safety, please stay off of the roads until the weather has moved through our area.

We anticipate running our Thursday residential and commercial trash routes as scheduled today. Please roll your trash can back to your home or business and ensure it is secured this afternoon.

All non-emergency City of Bainbridge offices will close at noon today. Once the storm passes and we are able to assess the damage to our community, we will make a decision regarding reopening Friday. Our crews will be on standby Thursday evening into Friday morning and will be available for cleanup of downed trees, limbs and other debris to ensure the safety of our roadways. Please be cognizant of our city work trucks as they are outfitted with safety lights and our staff will also be in safety vests. Please slow down and move over should you see city vehicles and workers performing cleanup duties. Should you need to report a water, sewer or natural gas outage, please use the following numbers: Sewer: (229) 515-0415 Water: (229) 726-6227 Natural gas: (229) 515-0173 To report downed trees blocking city streets, call (229) 726-8303.

While hurricanes are unpredictable and powerful, there are steps we can take to minimize the risks. *Chairs, tables, umbrellas, trampolines and other outdoor items can easily be lifted and thrown by strong winds, posing a significant danger to people and property. It is crucial to secure these items or move them indoors before a hurricane approaches. *Another often overlooked item that can transform into a projectile during a hurricane is your trash can. To prevent this, make sure to securely anchor your trash can to the ground or bring them indoors ahead of a hurricane. This small precaution can go a long way in safeguarding your home from unnecessary risks. *Move any loose outdoor items indoors, including birdfeeders, decorations, and flags/banners. These items may have the potential to blow away and become debris.

We anticipate running our Thursday residential and commercial trash routes as scheduled tomorrow. Please roll your trash can back to your home or business and ensure it is secured tomorrow afternoon.

All non-emergency City of Bainbridge offices will close at noon Thursday, September 26. Once the storm passes and we are able to assess the damage to our community, we will make a decision regarding reopening Friday. Our crews will be on standby Thursday evening into Friday morning and will be available for cleanup of downed trees, limbs and other debris to ensure the safety of our roadways. Please be cognizant of our city work trucks as they are outfitted with safety lights and our staff will also be in safety vests. Please slow down and move over should you see city vehicles and workers performing cleanup duties. Should you need to report a water, sewer or natural gas outage, please use the following numbers: Sewer: (229) 515-0415 Water: (229) 726-6227 Natural gas: (229) 515-0173 To report downed trees blocking city streets, call (229) 726-8303.

While hurricanes are unpredictable and powerful, there are steps we can take to minimize the risks. *Chairs, tables, umbrellas, trampolines and other outdoor items can easily be lifted and thrown by strong winds, posing a significant danger to people and property. It is crucial to secure these items or move them indoors before a hurricane approaches. *Another often overlooked item that can transform into a projectile during a hurricane is your trash can. To prevent this, make sure to securely anchor your trash can to the ground or bring them indoors ahead of a hurricane. This small precaution can go a long way in safeguarding your home from unnecessary risks. *Move any loose outdoor items indoors, including birdfeeders, decorations, and flags/banners. These items may have the potential to blow away and become debris.

Bainbridge Residents: Sand and a limited number of bags are available for pick up at our Public Works office located at 1503 Pierce Street as well as our Public Safety office located on Louise Street. We will limit the number of bags to 10 per household and once those run out, you will need to provide your own bags. Please be prepared with a shovel.

After Hurricane Michael, Decatur County EMA recognized the need to have a way to get information out to our community without using only social media. Decatur County decided to create an app to be able to push information to as many people as possible by using their smart phones. I have attached a flyer for the Decatur County EMA app. Download it today to stay weather aware!

Bainbridge Residents: Sandbags are available for pick up at our Public Works office located at 1503 Pierce Street.

The Comprehensive Plan Meeting scheduled for Thursday, September 26 has been postponed due to inclement weather. Our next planning meeting will be October 24 at 6:00 PM at the Public Safety Training Center.

As we watch for updates regarding possible severe weather later this week, prepare now by downloading Decatur County EMA's app to stay weather aware.

City Council will hold their regularly scheduled monthly meeting this evening at 6:30 PM at City Hall. You can find the agenda for that meeting online here: https://www.bainbridgecity.com/documents/your-government/agendas-%26-minutes/2024/09%2F17%2F24-city-council-meeting/704512