Northbound lanes of interstates like I-75 have been flooded with traffic as a mass exodus of Floridians evacuate into Georgia ahead of Hurricane Milton – a Category 4 storm expected to make landfall in the Tampa Bay area Wednesday afternoon.
Milton will arrive just two weeks after Hurricane Helene barreled through Florida’s panhandle and ravaged parts of south and eastern Georgia.
Northeast Georgia welcomes evacuees
Banks County Fire Chief Steve Nichols said his county has shelters ready to take in evacuees, if needed, but have not been requested to activate those facilities at this time. Grove Level Baptist Church (1702 Grove Level Rd., Maysville, GA) serves as one of Banks County’s primary shelters open to evacuees.
“They are on standby and ready for the (American) Red Cross to activate them should the need arise,” Nichols said. “Cots have been checked and are ready to be deployed. Red Cross will provide the food and needed necessities. Our personnel are available if needed to staff the areas to assist the Red Cross.”