Hurricane Information

Tropical Cyclone Ian

The City of Savannah will use this web page to post informational updates on Hurricane Ian and its impacts on our community. Ver página en Español

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More information, including weather updates and storm tracking, can be found at the Chatham Emergency Agency website.

Jump to Updates regarding Water Utilities, Sanitation, and Stormwater

UPDATES 

September 30 - 3:30 PM

The City of Savannah’s local state of emergency will be rescinded as of 6 p.m. today by order of Mayor Van R. Johnson, II. Once the order is rescinded, City offices will return to normal operating status, with all offices and services open on Monday, Oct. 3.  

 Sanitation will complete Friday yard waste collection routes on Saturday, Oct. 1. The Dean Forest Landfill will also be open on Saturday and normal collection routes will operate next week. 

Sanitation reminds customers of the following: 

  • Residents should follow regular yard waste setout guidelines to the extent possible. (attached) 
  • Residents should understand that large piles require special heavy lift equipment. Thus, their yard waste collection will take longer to complete.
  • Residents should separate yard waste from other debris types.
  •  

Stormwater and Park and Tree crews will be addressing any stormwater or tree-related issues today and this weekend. 

 

For questions about City services or to submit a service request, residents can call 311. Service requests can also be submitted online at Savannahga.gov/311request.  

 

City employees are encouraged to call into the City’s emergency information hotline for updates at 833-251-6020.  


September 30 - 11:00 AM

The temporary shelter opened at Compassion Christian Church by the American Red Cross will close at noon today. Salvation Army is prepared to receive shelter residents that continue to need assistance. 

Anyone needing shelter, can visit https://www.homelessauthority.org/shelters/ to see a list of shelters available.

September 30 - 5:00 AM

Ian remains a Category 1 Hurricane. Chatham County remains under a Tropical Storm Warning and a Storm Surge Warning. A Flood Watch is in effect east of I-95 until Saturday morning, October 1. Hurricane Ian has sustained winds at 85 mph and is moving NNE at 9 mph.

Potential impacts remain consistent for our area Friday morning into afternoon, which include: 

  • gusty winds that are potentially Tropical Storm strength
  • .5” - 1” of rainfall
  • elevated tides, especially around Noon Friday
  • possible life-threatening surf and rip current conditions
  • storm surge of 3-5 feet

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 415 miles from the center of Ian. The combination of storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline.

September 30 5am

September 29 - 5:00 PM

Ian has re-strengthened into a Category 1 Hurricane, but the track has shifted farther east. Chatham County remains under a Hurricane Watch, Tropical Storm Warning and a Storm Surge Warning. A Flood Watch is in effect until Saturday morning, October 1. 

Potential impacts remain consistent for our area late this evening into Friday afternoon, which includes: 

  • gusty winds that are potentially Tropical Storm strength
  • 2-4” of rainfall
  • elevated tides, especially around Noon Friday
  • possible life-threatening surf and rip current conditions
  • storm surge of 4-6 feet

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 415 miles from the center of Ian. The combination of storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline.

September 29 5pm


September 29 - 4:50 PM

Emergency Shelter Available for Those in Need 
The American Red Cross is opening a shelter at Compassion Christian Church beginning at 5 pm today to support those in need of shelter from Tropical Storm Ian. Salvation Army will provide meals for the shelter. Pets are not allowed. CAT is offering free transportation to the shelter; Residents can gather to the “H-Spot” at the ITC to catch a special route to the emergency shelter. The last trip to leave the ITC will be at 9:30 pm. Passengers will have to indicate that they are going to the shelter to ride for free. Riders are only allowed to bring 2 bags on the trip to the emergency shelter. 

What: American Red Cross shelter opening at Compassion Christian Church

Where: 55 Al Henderson Blvd. Savannah, GA 31419

When: Shelter opens at 5 PM

September 29 - 4:30 PM

Latest Storm Updates from the National Hurricane Center 

  • Tropical Cyclone Ian has moved over the Western Atlantic Ocean. 
  • The track has continued shifting to the east which has at this point further lessened some of the anticipated impacts for Savannah. 
  • We still anticipate the heaviest weather to move in tonight and tomorrow, with the potential of 4 to 6 inches of rain, with localized higher amounts, and the potential of some tropical storm force winds. 
  • There also remains the potential for storm surge, which could increase flooding risk. 

Employee Emergency Information Update 

  • The City of Savannah will continue to operate under emergency conditions through tomorrow, Friday, Sep. 30th. 
  • Critical workforce employees should continue to report to work as regularly scheduled. 
  • Non-critical employees should not report to work tomorrow, Friday, Sep. 30th. 

Important Information for Employees 

  • If a road is flooded it is important that you do not attempt to drive down the road. An updated list of flooded roadways will be available at www.savannahga.gov/floodalert 
  • Service needs can be reported to the City 24 hours by calling 311 on Thursday and Friday. 
  • To help everyone stay connected during the Tropical Storm Ian, Xfinity Wi-Fi Hotspots are open to the general public. Go to https://www.xfinity.com/learn/internet-service/wifi#wifimap 

How to Stay Connected 

During severe weather and emergency conditions, it is vital that each employee stays current on the conditions of the City. In severe circumstances, non-essential city services may be suspended. Announcements will be made on local radio and television stations, the City’s website (www.savannahga.gov), social media, by e-mail, and through the City’s Emergency Information Line (833) 251-6020. 

In addition, employees can opt-in to receive updates by text message using “Forward Blast”, a system designed to provide quick updates to employees in real time. To sign up, text FORWARDBLAST to 55498. To stop notifications, text STOP. 

Agency directors are expected to provide the instructions for “Forward Blast” and the Emergency Information Line number to all their employees.  

September 29 - 11:00 AMSeptember 29 11am

September 29 - 8:00 AM
September 29 8am

September 28 - 8:00 PM 

Based on expected impacts from Hurricane Ian, all non-emergency essential City government offices will be closed, and multiple City services will be suspended starting Thursday, Sept. 29. 

As safety allows, Sanitation refuse collection services will run as normal on Thursday, Sept. 29 but will be suspended completely on Friday, Sept. 30. All emergency essential services, including public safety, water and sewer, stormwater, park and tree, and traffic engineering will respond at full capacity as weather permits.

The following impacts to City services will begin on Thursday, Sept. 29:

  • All non-emergency essential City government offices will be closed.
  • In-person payments at the Coastal Georgia Center for utility, tax, license, and other fees will be closed.
  • Street cleaning night services will be suspended.
  • The Dean Forest Landfill and Bacon Park Convenience Center will be closed.
  • City-owned cemeteries will be closed other than for scheduled burials.
  • Recorder’s Court will close at 1 p.m.
  • In-person services with the Office of Special Events, Film, and Tourism will be suspended.
  • Building closures, including all services within, will include City Hall, Civic Center, Community Centers, Cultural Arts Center, Floyd Adams City Services Complex, Savannah Municipal Services Annex and the Savannah Entrepreneurial Center.
  • Non-emergency public safety offices will be closed, to include police records.

For questions about City services or to submit a service request, residents can call 311 24/7 on Thursday and Friday. Services requests can also be submitted online at Savannahga.gov/311request.

Updates on road closures due to flooding will be posted at savannahga.gov/floodalert. For updates specific to the City of Savannah, residents are encouraged to follow @cityofsavannah on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter, or click the Hurricane Ian button on savannahga.gov. 

September 28 - 8:00 AM
City declares state of local emergency. Click here to view declaration


September 27 - 5:00 PM
Chatham County is under a Tropical Storm Watch  and a Storm Surge Watch.
sept27-5pm 

September 27 - 11:00 AM
City of Savannah moves to operational condition 3 to better facilitate movement of personnel and resources.

sept27-11am

September 26 - 5:00 PM
September 26 5PM update

September 26 - 12:00 PMSept 26 noon

WATER UTILITIES, SANITATION, AND STORMWATER UPDATES
 

September 28 - 8:00 PM

As safety allows, Sanitation refuse collection services will run as normal on Thursday, Sept. 29 but will be suspended completely on Friday, Sept. 30. All emergency essential services, including public safety, water and sewer, stormwater, park and tree, and traffic engineering will respond at full capacity as weather permits.

September 26 - 8:00 PM
Sanitation crews are working to maintain regular collection schedules through Thursday.

Friday’s yard waste collection will likely be delayed due to the anticipated impacts from Hurricane Ian. These collections will be resumed as soon as possible once the storm passes, and the City will provide updates to residents on what to expect.
 
Sanitation also wants to remind everyone to remove any debris from their property that could become a projectile during the storm and to secure refuse and recycling carts before the storm arrives.