Georgia Department of Economic Development launches Travel Alert webpage ahead of Helene

In preparation for Hurricane Helene, the Georgia Department of Economic Development has activated a Travel Alert webpage on its site to help travelers and evacuees find hotel and lodging availability, locations and operating hours of the state’s nine Visitor Information Centers, and links to emergency resources.

You can access the new page at exploregeorgia.org/hurricane-helene-travel-alerts.

GDEC has partnered with TripAdvisor to provide travelers and evacuees with real-time hotel lodging availability in Georgia. The website also provides links to private rental availability, as well as campsites and pet-friendly accommodations. 

You can also find addresses for Georgia’s nine Visitor Information Centers on the site. These centers are prepared to assist those in need with identifying accommodations and travel information. Each center offers clean restrooms, parking, outdoor space to walk pets, and more.

Standard operating hours are 8:30am to 5:30pm daily. Any operational changes will be updated on the Travel Alert webpage as they occur. The nine Visitor Information Centers in the state include Ringgold (northeast); Lavonia (northwest); Tallapoosa, West Point, and Columbus (west); Augusta (east); Savannah and St. Mary's (southeast); and Valdosta (south). 

Facilities, including restrooms, are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at the Valdosta, St. Marys, and Port Wentworth (Savannah) centers, which are situated on or near evacuation routes.

See a map below.