With Hurricane Helene expected to impact Roswell and the surrounding area, Mayor Kurt Wilson and the City of Roswell are taking decisive action to ensure the safety of residents and minimize disruption. Joined by Roswell Police Chief Jim Conroy, Fire Chief Joe Pennino, and City Administrator Randy Knighton, Mayor Wilson has announced a comprehensive inclement weather plan in response to the hurricane.

Proactive Emergency Response

“The City of Roswell has been closely monitoring Hurricane Helene since earlier this week,” said Mayor Kurt Wilson. “Preparations have been underway in all city departments to ensure we can respond swiftly and effectively to any emergencies that may affect our city. Our Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be activated tonight at 7:00 PM to coordinate a smooth, strategic response,” said Mayor Kurt Wilson.

As Hurricane Helene approaches, the City anticipates significant weather impacts, including:

  • Heavy Rainfall: 4 to 10 inches expected, with localized areas receiving over 12 inches.
  • Winds: Sustained winds of 60 mph, with gusts exceeding 70 mph.
  • Flooding: Flash flooding and river flooding are highly likely, along with widespread downed trees and power lines.

Residents should prepare for power outages, which could last for extended periods due to the storm’s intensity.

Safety Precautions for Residents

Mayor Wilson urged residents to take precautions, including fully charging mobile devices, checking batteries for flashlights, and ensuring they have adequate supplies of food, water, and medications. The Mayor emphasized the importance of staying indoors and off the roads to allow emergency responders and city crews to work effectively.

“Not only will staying off the roads help keep you and other drivers safe, but it will also allow our first responders and street crews to respond more easily to emergencies,” Wilson stated. “If you must drive, remember: never drive through standing water. It only takes a foot of water to float a car, and two feet can sweep it away.”

Chief Jim Conroy added, “Please stay home and keep your family safe. We have barricades pre-staged in areas prone to flooding, and it’s critical that residents respect these barricades and avoid driving through dangerous areas.”

Emergency Operations Center (EOC) & Swift Response

Fire Chief Joe Pennino detailed the city’s response efforts: “We have mobilized cut teams to clear roadways blocked by fallen trees and debris to ensure essential routes remain open. Additionally, our swift water rescue teams are on standby for areas that may experience flooding. We want everyone to avoid flooded roadways at all costs.”

The EOC will remain operational throughout the duration of the storm, with teams working in 12-hour shifts. Chief Pennino also reminded residents to avoid using generators indoors and to be cautious of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Stay Informed with NIXLE and Emergency Contact Information

The City of Roswell encourages all residents to stay informed by signing up for NIXLE e-notifications, which will provide timely updates on road closures, weather advisories, and public safety information. To sign up, visit www.RoswellGov.com/NIXLE.

For emergencies, residents should dial 911. For non-emergency situations, the Roswell Police Department’s non-emergency line can be reached at 770-640-4100.

Chief Conroy emphasized the importance of safety at intersections during power outages: “If a traffic signal is out, treat it as a four-way stop. For flashing red lights, stop and proceed when safe. For flashing yellow, proceed with caution.”

Waste Collection Rescheduled

The City will postpone trash and recycling services scheduled for Friday. Trash collection will resume on Monday, September 30, 2024. Mayor Wilson encouraged residents to inform neighbors of the change.

Final Remarks

In closing, Mayor Wilson thanked the city’s emergency personnel: “I’m grateful to our first responders, road crews, and all city staff for their efforts to prepare for this storm. Your safety is our top priority, and we’ll continue working tirelessly to keep Roswell safe.”


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