Hurricane Helene Update
I hope everyone is staying safe and alert as Hurricane Helene makes its way across Georgia. Governor Kemp declared a state of emergency on Wednesday, as Helene is expected to significantly impact every county throughout the state. Emergency management agencies and meteorologists are predicting upwards of 10 inches of rainfall in North Georgia and Metro-Atlanta, as well as wind gusts of up to 70 miles per hour.
I urge everyone to prepare for extended power outages, flash flooding, and extensive wind damage throughout the night tonight and well into the day on Friday. For more information about how to properly prepare for this storm, please stay tuned for updates from your local news outlets and the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency.
Rainfall Predictions for Central and North Georgia from Atlanta News First
At Home in the District
Dayle and I had the wonderful opportunity to spend some quality time with our family and friends at home in the district over the last several days. Over the weekend, we joined our good friends, Camille and Cornell Mock, to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary.
It was a privilege to help them celebrate this incredible milestone in their lives. Congratulations Mrs. Camille and Mr. Cornell!
Celebrating the 70th Wedding Anniversary of Mrs. Camille and Mr. Cornell Mock
On Wednesday, Mrs. Dayle visited our granddaughters at Ebenezer Middle School for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ annual See You at The Pole for Prayer event. It was great to see so many young men and women gather together beneath our flag to pray for their friends, school, and community.
Dayle joining our granddaughters for FCA’s See You at the Pole for Prayer Event at Ebenezer Middle School
Honoring the Late Chairman Richard Smith
Chairman Richard Smith was a dedicated public servant and tireless advocate for expanding access to healthcare for every Georgian. It was a privilege and an honor to serve beside him in the House for so many years, and I’m grateful for our healthcare institutions across the state that continue to recognize his legacy.
Last Friday, I joined state leaders and representatives of St. Francis Emory Healthcare in Columbus as they dedicated their newest graduate education learning center in his honor. His friendship and advocacy for healthcare over the years will not soon be forgotten.
Speaking to healthcare providers and state leaders at St. Francis Emory Healthcare’s dedication ceremony
Georgia Reads Day
Georgia reads day will be hosted on Monday, September 30th at 10:00 AM. Hundreds of elementary school students will join Georgia great, Malcolm Mitchell, at the College Football Hall of Fame for a fun-filled morning where they will learn about the importance of literacy.
If you’re a teacher in any part of the state, I encourage you to tune in using Georgia Public Broadcasting’s livestream of the event. If you participate, make sure to send us photos of your classroom joining in on the fun for a feature in next week’s newsletter!
Our thoughts and prayers remain with our state throughout the weekend as we face the effects of Hurricane Helene. Please stay vigilant, stay safe, and continue to stay updated as we receive new information from our local media outlets and state agencies.
My best,
Speaker Jon Burns