A day after tornadoes tore through three Georgia counties, Gov. Brian Kemp wasted no time in declaring a state of emergency for the areas affected by the storm. He is also planning to tour the hardest hit areas Monday afternoon.

Kemp issued an Executive Order declaring a State of Emergency in Grady, Harris, and Talbot Counties to deploy state assistance in the wake of severe thunderstorms, excessive precipitation, and tornadoes Monday.

“With extensive storm damage in Grady, Harris, and Talbot Counties, it is imperative that we take swift action to help affected Georgians and deploy state resources in ongoing response and recovery efforts. This declaration immediately dispatches additional first responders and assistance as we continue to assess the damage,” stated Governor Kemp. “Throughout this process, I have received regular updates from state and local leaders. Based on this information, I will travel to affected areas this afternoon with emergency management personnel to witness the damage firsthand. At this time, we extend our thoughts and prayers to those impacted by severe weather in Georgia and Alabama, where citizens in Lee County are reeling from the deaths of at least twenty-three people and massive structural damage.”

This declaration activates the Georgia Emergency Operations Plan. You can read the Executive Order for yourself on the Governor’s website.

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Kemp will board a helicopter at 12:45 p.m. today to view the damage in the three-county area and will land at Central High School in Talbotton at about 1:45 p.m. to see the damage there.