Glynn County commissioners authorize chairman to declare state of emergency for Tropical Storm Debbie

Glynn County commissioners at a special-call meeting Monday in August authorized the county chairman to adopt a resolution declaring a state of emergency for Tropical Storm Debbie if conditions warrant, saying the move would let county leaders act quickly and position Glynn County to seek state and federal reimbursements.

Mister Bulfard, a county staff member, told commissioners that the county’s emergency management ordinance grants the chairman powers the board can use during a declared emergency, including calling curfews and ordering evacuations, suspending certain ordinances and permits, and enforcing price-gouging rules. "Once the storm passes, it continues until the chairman or the board ends it," Bulfard said, describing how a declaration remains in effect until formally ended.

Panel members were told the declaration is precautionary but important for logistics and reimbursement: Mister Fallon, a county staff member, said state agencies use local declarations when prioritizing requests for assistance, so declaring can affect Glynn County’s place in the line for state resources.

Commissioners also discussed operational preparations. The presiding speaker said police and fire had staged extra patrols on the island to respond if the causeway flooded, and that the Georgia Department of Transportation did not anticipate closing the causeway unless sustained winds reached about 40 miles per hour. Commissioner Fendig reminded residents about contact numbers for reporting flooding and trees down and offered to be a point of contact if staff were difficult to reach.

The commission moved to authorize the chairman to adopt a resolution declaring a state emergency for Glynn County due to Tropical Storm Debbie pending further developments; the motion was recorded as made by Commissioner Wrofoski and seconded by Commissioner Booker. The chair called for the vote; Commissioner Fendig said, "Aye," and the chair later stated the vote was unanimous. The motion approved the chairman’s authority to declare an emergency during the day if deemed necessary.

Officials said additional briefings were scheduled later in the day to reassess conditions, including a 1:30 briefing and a 2:30 partnership meeting, and that the county would coordinate with the city to ensure continuity of operations. The meeting adjourned after the vote.

Note: the meeting transcript contains inconsistent spellings for one commissioner's name in different segments; the motion record in the transcript lists the mover as "Commissioner Wrofoski" and the second as "Commissioner Booker."