Candler County Sheriff's Office

10/20/2026

SCHOOL SAFETY: PREPARATION MATTERS

This morning, CCSO conducted training throughout the Candler County school complex, including its buildings and facilities, alongside our local public safety partners from the Metter Police Department, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Department of Natural Resources, and Candler County Emergency Management Agency.

The purpose of the training was to familiarize our local public safety partners with tactics and procedures for responding to an incident at one of our schools. Hopefully, this is training we will never have to put into practice, but we cannot afford to be unprepared.

In a major incident, we could potentially have 300 law enforcement officers arrive within an hour or two. But the first few minutes are critical, and the responders already here will be the ones making the initial response. Knowing each other, understanding how we operate, and being able to work together can make a real difference when seconds count.

Our children are too important for us to wait until an emergency happens to figure out how we will respond. We owe it to our students, teachers, and school staff to prepare ahead of time and be ready to act when it matters most.

I appreciate all of our local public safety partners taking the time to train with us this morning. A coordinated response starts with preparation, communication, and the ability to work together before we ever face a real emergency.

10/20/2026

Have unused or expired medications? 💊 Bring them to IHS Pharmacy & Gifts for safe disposal during DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day!

📅 Saturday, October 24
⏰ 10 AM – 2 PM

Help keep our community safe by properly disposing of unwanted medications. We’re proud to partner with the DEA and the Candler County Sheriff’s Office for this important initiative!

10/19/2026

Outstanding job everyone. We were glad to assist. Keep up the good work !

10/17/2026

It’s alright, fellas. There’s always tomorrow.

I know quite a few of y’all missed this morning. Some missed their deer, and missed their alarm clock.

‘Little advice from our local felon celebrity, Uncle Jailbird Jimmy. That 10-point buck don’t count unless you’ve got a dated, time-stamped picture to show the boys. We’ve heard enough monster buck stories to last us till next season.

For the real ones, drop them pictures in the comments. Let’s see what you actually dragged out of the woods instead of what got bigger on the ride home.

Aim true and be safe, Candler County. And remember, follow the laws. Ole green britches is out there just waiting to catch you and that bag of corn having a little meeting in the woods.

10/15/2026

🚦 RAILROAD CROSSING SAFETY REMINDER

Candler County Public Works has installed STOP signs at the railroad crossings on Lake Church Road and St. Matthews Church Road.

The rail line is expected to become active, with trains operating on the tracks next week. The railroad will be removing the existing yield signs, and the new STOP signs will remain in place.

Motorists should come to a complete stop at these crossings, remain alert, and watch for trains. Please use caution when approaching and crossing the tracks.

Please share this information to help keep our community informed.

Justin Wells, Director
Candler County Emergency Management Agency

10/13/2026

🚨IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE – RAILROAD SAFETY🚂 ❌

The railroad track in Candler County that runs from Register to Metter has been dormant for many years. It will be ACTIVE again next week. There will be train traffic on this track. We want our citizens, visitors, and anyone traveling through Candler County to be aware.

When a railroad track sits unused for years, people get accustomed to crossing without giving it much thought. With trains returning, we need everyone to get back in the habit of slowing down, looking, and paying attention at railroad crossings.

On October 15, the railroad crossing on Lake Church Road will transition from a yield sign to a stop sign.🛑

We want to do everything we can to prevent a collision. Please use caution at all railroad crossings throughout Candler County, not just Lake Church Road. Never assume a train isn’t coming simply because you haven’t seen one in years.

Please share this notice so residents and travelers are aware that trains will be running on these tracks again.

Justin Wells, Director
Candler County Emergency Management Agency

10/10/2026

🌪️ TORNADO WATCH

Candler County is currently under a Tornado Watch until 8 PM this evening. Please stay weather aware throughout the afternoon and evening and make sure you have a way to receive weather alerts.

A watch doesn’t mean a tornado has been spotted , but conditions are favorable for one to develop. We’ll continue keeping an eye on things and pass along any updates as needed.

10/09/2026

🚨LOOSE EMU – OWNER NEEDED

The Candler County Sheriff’s Office is attempting to locate the owner of an emu currently on the loose in the area of Saint Matthews Church Road.

If you are the owner or know who the emu belongs to, please contact the Sheriff’s Office immediately at 912-685-CCSO (2276).

We appreciate the public’s assistance in helping us get the animal back to its owner.

10/09/2026

10/08/2026

Hurricane Isaias Update

Good evening, Candler County.

We are continuing to monitor Hurricane Isaias, which has now strengthened to a Category 2 hurricane. Governor Brian Kemp has declared a State of Emergency for all 159 counties and directed the activation of the State Operations Center. Here in Candler County, we are working with our local and state partners and making preparations should we be impacted.

At this time, Candler County remains outside the forecast cone of uncertainty, and current forecasts suggest limited impacts for our area. The latest forecast indicates we could receive 2 to 4 inches of rainfall, with a 10% chance of the higher end of that range. Gusty winds, power outages, and tornadoes are also possible.

I want to remind everyone not to get too focused on individual computer models or specific forecast tracks. The cone of uncertainty only represents the probable path of the center of the storm, not the area that could experience impacts. Since we are east of the projected track, we could still see impacts from the outer rainbands, including heavy rain, gusty winds, and isolated tornadoes.

We all remember Hurricane Helene and what it did to Candler County. We also remember how the forecast changed leading up to that storm and how things ultimately unfolded here at home. That’s a reminder of why we prepare, even when the worst of a storm is expected somewhere else.

While our expected impacts appear limited right now, that could change as the forecast develops. It’s always better to make preparations and not need them than to be caught off guard.

Please take a few minutes to check your emergency supplies, review your family’s plans, and sign up for our emergency alert system at candlerco-ga.gov.

We will continue monitoring the storm, and keep everyone posted as the forecast develops.

Stay weather aware, Candler County.

Justin Wells, Director
Candler County Emergency Management Agency