Appling County Emergency Management Agency

03/16/2026

PLEASE POST - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Based on the latest weather briefing from the National Weather Service in Jacksonville, and out of an abundance of caution due to the potential for severe weather in our area, all schools in the district will be closed for students tomorrow.

The safety of our students, staff, and families remains our highest priority. Forecasts indicate the potential for severe weather conditions that could impact travel during normal school hours.

Staff will report for a regular work day.

All after-school activities, athletics, and extracurricular events scheduled for tomorrow are canceled.

District officials will continue to monitor weather conditions and updates from the National Weather Service. Additional information regarding school operations will be shared as it becomes available.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Dr. Elgin Dixon
Superintendent
Appling County School System

03/12/2026

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS CANCELLED TORNADO WATCH 50 FOR
THE FOLLOWING AREAS

IN GEORGIA THIS CANCELS 11 COUNTIES

IN SOUTHEAST GEORGIA

APPLING ATKINSON BACON
BRANTLEY CLINCH COFFEE
ECHOLS JEFF DAVIS PIERCE
WARE WAYNE

THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ALMA, ATKINSON, AXSON, BAXLEY,
BLACKSHEAR, DOCTORTOWN, DOUGLAS, GARDI, HAZLEHURST, HICKOX,
HOBOKEN, HOMERVILLE, HORTENSE, JESUP, NAHUNTA, NEEDHAM, NEEDMORE,
NEW LACY, PEARSON, PINE GROVE, PLANT HATCH, RAYBON, STATENVILLE,
WAYCROSS, WAYNESVILLE, AND WILLACOOCHEE.

03/12/2026

The National Weather Service in Jacksonville has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Pierce County in southeastern Georgia...
Brantley County in southeastern Georgia...
East central Ware County in southeastern Georgia...
Wayne County in southeastern Georgia...
Southeastern Appling County in southeastern Georgia...

* Until 945 AM EDT.

* At 902 AM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from 8 miles west of Donald to near Boggy Bay, moving
east at 45 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
Jesup, Blackshear, Nahunta, Patterson, Gardi, Screven, Odum,
Offerman, Hickox, and Boggy Bay.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

These are potentially deadly storms. Seek shelter in an interior room
on the lowest floor of a well-built structure. Abandon vehicles in
search of a more substantial permanent structure. Stay away from
windows.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 100 PM EDT for southeastern
Georgia.

03/12/2026

The National Weather Service in Jacksonville has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Southeastern Coffee County in southeastern Georgia...
Northern Pierce County in southeastern Georgia...
East central Atkinson County in southeastern Georgia...
Northwestern Ware County in southeastern Georgia...
Bacon County in southeastern Georgia...
Northwestern Wayne County in southeastern Georgia...
Eastern Jeff Davis County in southeastern Georgia...
Appling County in southeastern Georgia...

* Until 915 AM EDT.

* At 824 AM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Graham to 10 miles south of Nicholls, moving
east at 60 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
Baxley, Hazlehurst, Alma, Graham, Surrency, Plant Hatch, Nicholls,
Screven, Odum, and Bristol.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain alert for a possible tornado! Tornadoes can develop quickly
from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the
basement or small central room in a sturdy structure.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 100 PM EDT for southeastern
Georgia.

02/07/2026

It is with heavy hearts that we remember Mr. Steve Baxley. EMA/Rescue will deeply miss hearing his voice on the radio, calmly dispatching calls and making sure help got where it needed to be when it mattered most. His dedication to serving others did not go unnoticed, and his presence will be truly missed. Thank you, Mr. Baxley, for all you did for our community. 🕊️

01/27/2026

FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 9 AM
EST WEDNESDAY.....FREEZE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY EVENING THROUGH THURSDAY
MORNING...

* WHAT...For the Freeze Warning, a hard freeze with temperatures as
low as 25 expected. For the Freeze Watch, a hard freeze with
temperatures as low as 26 possible.

* WHERE...Portions of northeast and northern Florida and southeast
Georgia.

* WHEN...For the Freeze Warning, from 9 PM this evening to 9 AM EST
Wednesday. For the Freeze Watch, from Wednesday evening through
Thursday morning.

* IMPACTS...Appropriate action should be taken to ensure tender
vegetation and outdoor pets have adequate protection from the cold
temperatures. Young children, the elderly and the homeless are
especially vulnerable to the cold. Take measures to protect them.

01/15/2026

FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THURSDAY TO 9 AM EST FRIDAY...

* WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures in the low 20s well inland to
upper 20s coast.

* WHERE...Portions of northeast and northern Florida and southeast
Georgia.

* WHEN...From 11 PM Thursday to 9 AM EST Friday.

* IMPACTS...Appropriate action should be taken to ensure tender
vegetation and outdoor pets have adequate protection from the cold
temperatures. Young children, the elderly and the homeless are
especially vulnerable to the cold. Take measures to protect them.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.

To prevent water pipes from freezing; wrap or drain or allow them to
drip slowly.

11/12/2025

Today at approximately 12PM, Plant Hatch will test its emergency notification system. Outdoor sirens in the vicinity of the plant will be activated for three minutes. This will affect the counties of Appling, Toombs, Tattnall, and Jeff Davis.

09/28/2025

09/27/2025