Gilmer County Emergency Management

10/12/2026

📢 Courthouse Closure Notice
In observance of Columbus Day, the Gilmer County Courthouse will be closed on Monday, October 12, 2026.
Normal business hours will resume on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
Thank you for your understanding, and we wish everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday!

10/10/2026

Wind is starting to pick up a bit. (35 knots is equal to 40 MPH). We're getting more frequent reposts of trees and powerlines down. Only a couple of temporary road closures at the moment. There are currently 1,569 locations without power.

We'll be monitoring our sources to determine if further wind speed increases are likely. Stay tuned.

10/10/2026

* * PROLONGED STRONG WINDS - A/O 8:07 AM Saturday * *

Please secure lawn and deck furniture, garbage bins, construction material, and small pets.

10/10/2026

* * POST-HURRICANE ISAIAS UPDATE SATURDAY 5:00 AM * *

While Isaias is weakening and has become post-tropical, there will be a very strong pressure gradient between the system and strong high pressure over the Mid-Atlantic. This gradient will support a prolonged period of strong easterly winds with frequent gusts to 40 to 50 mph across most of North Georgia through this afternoon and into tonight.

A High Wind Warning is in effect for this area. Areas to the south of
these warnings are in a Wind Advisory where winds will be weaker,
though gusts up to 40 mph will be possible. Across all areas, the
prolonged and strong winds could lead to power outages from downed limbs and trees, especially when combined with saturated soils from periods of heavy rain.

Isaias will continue to bring widespread rainfall to the area, with
multiple bands of heavy rain expected through early Sunday. Widespread rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches are likely across much of the area. A localized swath of as much as 8 inches will be possible where the heaviest banding sets up. This rainfall could lead to flash flooding, particularly in urban and poor drainage areas, as well as flood-prone creeks and streams. The north-south orientation of bands may enhance river flooding along north-south reaches. Training heavy rain in the mountains may furthermore increase the risk of landslides. A Flood Watch remains in effect for the entire area, as a result.

Additionally, a favorable environment for tornadoes is starting to
develop across Central Georgia early this morning, and will advance
into north Georgia by the afternoon and evening. Several tornadoes will be possible, particularly within the outer rainbands of the system.

Tornadoes from tropical systems are typically quick to develop and
short-lived, but with the forward speed of the system and the unique setup, we can't rule out a stronger (EF2 or EF3), long-track tornado, especially across Central Georgia.

10/09/2026

* * * HURRICANE ISAIAS UPDATE - 5:00 PM FRIDAY * * *

The wind field associated with Isaias is expected to expand
considerably as the system moves inland and becomes extra-tropical.

Strong winds will extend well east of the center of the storm and into
West-Central Georgia. A Tropical Storm Warning is now in effect for
this area where wind gusts to 60 mph will be possible. Further north
and east, while Isaias will be weakening and becoming post- tropical,
there will be a very strong pressure gradient between the system and
strong high pressure over the Mid-Atlantic. This gradient will support
a prolonged period of strong easterly winds with frequent gusts to
40 to 60 mph across most of North Georgia from tonight through early Sunday. A High Wind Warning has been issued for this area.

Areas to the south and east of these warnings have been placed in a Wind Advisory where winds will be weaker, but still have gusts to 45 mph. Across all areas, the prolonged and strong winds could lead to power outages from downed limbs and trees, especially when combined with saturated soils from periods of heavy rain.

Isaias will bring widespread rainfall, with multiple bands of heavy
rain expected tonight through early Sunday. Widespread rainfall totals of 1 to 4 inches are likely across much of the area, with a localized swath of up to 8 inches where the heaviest banding sets up. This rainfall could lead to flash flooding, particularly in urban and
poor-drainge areas, as well as flood-prone creeks and streams. The
north south orientation of bands make enhance river flooding along
north south reaches. Training heavy rain in the mountains may increase the risk of landslides. A Flood Watch has been issued for the entire area.

Additionally, as Isaias tracks northward and inland late tonight into
Saturday, a favorable environment for tornadoes will develop across
North and Central Georgia, and continue through Saturday night.
Several tornadoes will be possible, particularly within the outer
rainbands of the system. Tornadoes from tropical systems are typically quick to develop and short-lived, but with the forward speed of the system and the unique setup, we can't rule out a stronger (EF2 or EF3), long-track tornado, especially across Central Georgia.

10/09/2026

🌧️WEATHER UPDATE: SATURDAY’S (10/10) FESTIVAL CANCELED🌧️

After carefully monitoring the changing forecast and reviewing the latest guidance from the National Weather Service, we’ve made the difficult decision to cancel Saturday’s (October 10) Georgia Apple Festival.

The safety of our vendors, staff, and visitors is always our top priority, and we appreciate your understanding as we make this decision.

The good news: We intend to move forward with Sunday’s festival as planned! We will continue monitoring the weather and share updates as needed. 🍎

📅 October 11 & 17–18, 2026
📍 Ellijay Lions Club | 1729 S Main Street, Ellijay, GA
🎟️ Admission $10 | Children 12 & under FREE
*Tickets available online & at the festival gates. Online tickets are valid for any festival day - 11th, 17th and 18th!

🐾 Planning to bring your pup? While we love our furry friends, please note that the Georgia Apple Festival is not a pet-friendly event. Please plan accordingly!
**The Apple Festival 5K Road Race has been moved to Saturday 10/17!

10/09/2026

For complete and up-to-the-minute coverage of Hurricane Isaias, including weather conditions, road and ground access status, shelter information, and many other resources - download our app for these and other resources:

 Did you know Gilmer County has a voluntary registry for people with disabilities to self-identify in order to receive targeted assistance during emergencies and disasters? Scan the attached QR code and then select Gilmer County as your source. Once in the app, tap "More" then select "Special Needs Registration."

 Be in the Know: Get Alerts. Sign up for your community’s warning system. disasters can happen suddenly, so it’s important to have multiple ways to get alerts. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.

 Be in the Know: Evacuation. Having evacuation plans in place can save valuable time and, most importantly, lives. Always follow the instructions of local officials and remember that your evacuation route may be on foot depending on the type of disaster. Whether it's the home of a friend or family member or a pre-designated
shelter, know your evacuation destination.

 ready.gov/home-safety has resources to help keep you safe from disasters like hurricanes, floods and other natural and man-made hazards. But are you prepared for everyday injuries that can
happen at home?

 Every year, millions of people seek medical attention after they’re
injured at home, so it’s important to know what to do to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. Ready.gov has tips on how to prevent and treat common causes of injuries in the home, including falls, poisoning, and burns.

 Be in the Know: Schools and Childcare. Protecting children is a parent’s number one priority and responsibility. Make sure you know the evacuation and reunification plans of your children’s school and childcare.

10/09/2026

To check if Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are turned on, follow the steps for your device:

iPhone

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Notifications.
3. Scroll all the way to the bottom to the Government Alerts section.
4. Make sure Emergency Alerts and Public Safety Alerts are toggled ON (green).

Android

• General path: Open Settings → Notifications → Advanced Settings → Wireless Emergency Alerts (or search "Emergency Alerts" in your main settings bar).
• Samsung / Pixel alternative: Open Settings → Safety & Emergency → Wireless Emergency Alerts.
• Make sure Allow Alerts (or individual options like Extreme Threats, Severe Threats, and AMBER Alerts) are turned ON

With the risk for tornadoes overnight Friday and throughout the day on Saturday, it's important to have multiple ways to receive storm alerts including Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAS).

WEAs are short emergency messages sent to mobile phones from cell towers within a defined geographic location. They are received based on current location and are not subscription based.

To check if WEAs are turned on, check the notification settings on your phone.

10/08/2026

FYI - Governor Kemp's State of Emergency

10/08/2026

* * * HURRICANE ISAIAS UPDATE * * *
..HURRICANE HUNTERS FIND THAT ISAIAS NOW HAS 100 MPH WINDS... ...PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY FROM STORM SURGE AND DAMAGING WINDS IN THE WARNING AREA SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION TODAY...

High Wind Watch from October 10, 08:00 AM until October 11, 08:00 AM
Flood Watch from October 10, 02:00 AM until October 11, 08:00 AM

Isaias will bring areas of heavy rainfall to the central U.S.
Gulf coast and much of the Southeast Friday into the weekend.
Considerable flash and urban flooding, along with significant river
flooding, will be possible.