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MARIETTA, Ga. – The Georgia Department of Defense is in the final stages of recovery support for the historic Winter Storm Fern that moved through the northern part of the state over the weekend.
On Thursday, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency ahead of Winter Storm Fern and authorized the use of up to 500 Georgia National Guardsmen. At that point, the Georgia Department of Defense began preparations to support fellow Georgians alongside state and local authorities with recovery efforts.
Georgia Army and Air National Guardsmen, along with members of the State Defense Force, began prepositioning personnel and equipment in Stephens County on Saturday, ensuring a rapid response when called upon during and after the storm.
About 120 members of the Georgia National Guard were placed on State Active Duty to assist with recovery efforts in White, Stephens, Rabun, Habersham, and Lumpkin counties in Northeast Georgia. Over three days, they surveyed more than 1,400 miles of roadways, removed approximately 450 trees, and cleared over 50 routes to make way for first responders, local officials, and utility companies.
As of today, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) no longer requires support from the Georgia Department of Defense. Members are being released from their missions and will return home.
“We are extremely proud of the selfless service our state and local partners, Guardsmen, and State Defense Force members demonstrated as they worked tirelessly to assist our fellow Georgians,” said Maj. Gen. Dwayne Wilson, The Adjutant General of Georgia. “This was a tremendous response effort led by GEMA/HS and Georgians should be proud of the great work these men and women are doing.”
The Georgia Department of Defense plays an integral role in declared emergencies by providing a versatile and ready force capable of responding to natural and manmade disasters across the United States. The Georgia Department of Defense is trained and equipped to ensure rapid, coordinated, and effective support is available to civil authorities on short notice.
| Date Taken: | 01.27.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 01.30.2026 15:08 |
| Story ID: | 556907 |
| Location: | MARIETTA, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 10 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Georgia Department of Defense Supports Georgians During Winter Storm Fern Recovery Efforts, by Maj. Ronald Cole, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
