2024 Camden County Hurricane Guide

2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season June 1, 2024 - November 30, 2024

#PrepareNow for Hurricane Season

All Camden County residents should be aware that it only takes one storm to have a major impact on our community.

Georgia residents statewide are at risk of both direct and indirect severe impacts should a storm make landfall anywhere in our region. With the Atlantic hurricane season starting annually on June 1st, the Camden County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urge residents to take the time now to plan, prepare, and stay informed about hurricanes.

Preparing for Hurricanes

Camden County is at risk for hurricanes due to our location on the Atlantic Ocean. It's important for residents to plan ahead and gather needed supplies for at least three (3) days. You may need to prepare for more than three days. Keep in mind each member of your household's specific needs, including medication. Include cash in your emergency kit. If there are power outages, you will not be able to use credit cards or ATMs.

Tropical Storms and Hurricanes have the potential to bring:

strong winds
tornadoes
storm surge
inland flooding

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2024 Hurricane Season Forecast

The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) hurricane season forecast for 2024 predicts ABOVE-NORMAL hurricane activity this season. The forecast includes 17-25 named storms (39 mph+ winds). Out of those, 8-13 storms may become hurricanes (74 mph+ winds) and 4-7 may reach major hurricane intensity (111 mph+ winds of Category 3 strength and higher). NOAA provides these ranges with a 70% confidence.

NOAA’s outlook is for overall seasonal activity and is not a landfall forecast. It only takes one storm to have a major impact on Camden County.

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Hurricane Forecasts

The National Hurricane Center issues official forecasts for tropical activity. These official forecast's include a cone that indicates the probable track of the center of the storm. It is important to note that the forecast cone does not show the size of the storm and hazardous conditions can occur outside of the cone.

It is easy to find outdated or incorrect forecast information. In addition to the National Hurricane Center, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Jacksonville, Florida will always be a trusted source for tropical storm and hurricane-related forecasts, watches, and warnings for Camden County.

2024 Hurricane Names

Alberto

Beryl

Chris

Debby

Ernesto

Francine

Gordon

Helene

Isaac

Joyce

Kirk

Leslie

Milton

Nadine

Oscar

Patty

Rafael

Sara

Tony

Valerie

William

Evacuation Routes

Several factors make evacuation challenging for Camden County residents. I-95 may become congested with the flow of traffic coming out of Florida. As the first Georgia county along I-95 North, many Florida storm evacuees tend to stop in Camden County. Some stop for gas and food, some stop for lodging and others get off the interstate looking for alternate routes. This additional traffic on local roadways may make local evacuations more congested.

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Know Your Zone

Affected residents are encouraged to depart in phases according to their evacuation zone.

Zone A consists of Camden County’s barrier islands, including Cumberland Island and Little Cumberland Island. Zone B includes most of the county east of I-95, with the exception of Zone C and the barrier islands. Zone C consists of an area between I-95 and the intersection of Colerain Road/Laurel Island Parkway and St. Marys Road. Zone D is all of Camden County west of I-95.

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When choosing an evacuation route, consider these points:

Keep a road map in your car. GPS units only work when you have a specific destination to which you are traveling. They may not work as well when you have no set destination. You may also want to conserve cell phone battery power.
Traveling north or south out of the county may lead to less traveled secondary roads.
Secondary roads that may be lesser known, may also be less traveled.
Listen to radio information about possible road closures due to congestion or flooding.

Interstate 95 (I-95)

Runs north and south through Camden County and can be taken north into Glynn County and points beyond, and south into Florida.

Georgia Highway 40

Runs west from St. Marys into Charlton County.

US Highway 17

Runs through Camden and can be taken north into Glynn County or south into Nassau County, Florida.

Georgia Highway 252

Runs west from White Oak into Charlton County.

Georgia Highway 259

Runs northwest from Tarboro into Brantley County.

Georgia Highway 110 North

Runs northwest from Waverly into Brantley County.

CodeRED

Camden County and the cities of Kingsland, St. Marys, and Woodbine have partnered together to utilize CodeRED to provide emergency notifications and severe weather warnings to their residents.

Camden County residents can register their homes to receive notifications and severe weather warnings as they are issued by local officials or the National Weather Service (NWS) in Jacksonville, Florida. Due to advances in technology these warnings are now issued just for the threatened area.

Camden County residents can register their address and telephone numbers to receive a message from the CodeRED messaging system warning them of emergencies or impending severe weather within seconds of being issued by local officials or the NWS.

You can register landlines or cell phones. A TDD/TTY option is available for the hearing impaired. There is also a text messaging function available for cell phone users.

Weather Warning is a feature of CodeRED that requires no action from local officials. As the warnings are issued by the NWS, Code Red will automatically send warning to the phone numbers that are registered to receive this service.

To register your address and phone number(s) for emergency notifications you must enter your information with CodeRED. If you are unsure if you are registered, we encourage you to register again.

Re-Entry Permits

The Georgia Emergency Management Agency & Homeland Security (GEMA/HS) leads the statewide re-entry system. They can assist you with the re-entry certification process for private entities needing access to a disaster zone, both before and after an emergency.

Plan to Evacuate

Plan how you will leave and where you will go if you are advised to evacuate.
Information on Georgia evacuation routes and road conditions may be found at Georgia 511.
Identify several places you could go in an emergency- a friend's home in another town or a hotel or motel in a different city.
Be familiar with alternate routes and other means of transportation out of your area.

Hurricane Registry

The Camden County Health Department maintains a Hurricane Registry for those with functional, access, or medical needs who need transportation and have no resources such as family, neighbors, or friends to help them evacuate if a hurricane is threatening our community. Residents must apply to the Registry in advance to receive transportation services. The time to apply for the Registry is when there are no storms threatening. It is important to note that Registry applications will stop being accepted 72 hours prior to the arrival of tropical storm force winds.

To apply, residents can call toll-free, 1-833-CHD-REGISTER (1-833-243-7344). You will provide some basic information and then a representative of the Camden County Health Department will follow up with you to complete the application. Applications are available online.

Insurance Checkup

Call your insurance company or agent and ask for an insurance checkup to make sure you have enough homeowners insurance to repair or even replace your home. As a reminder, standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding.

Flood Insurance is an important component of preparing for potential tropical weather. A flood insurance policy generally takes effect 30 days after purchase, and homeowners and renters insurance do not typically cover flood damage.

Report Damage

Camden County EMA has partnered with Orion Damage Assessment System to assist citizens with reporting damage after a storm.

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Take time now, while no storms are in the forecast to prepare for potential tropical activity. It only takes one (1) storm to have a major impact on Camden County.