Bulloch County Commission Chairman David Bennett began the press conference by thanking local leaders and attendees for their participation in addressing Winter Storm Enzo. He emphasized the unusual nature of the storm for the area, with predictions of 2-4 inches of snow, potential ice, and freezing temperatures that could persist for several days.
This combination is expected to create hazardous travel conditions, particularly since the region lacks snow-clearing equipment. Bennett urged residents to prioritize safety by staying home and using the remaining time to prepare with essential supplies such as groceries and medications.
He noted that Governor Kemp's recent state of emergency declaration allows the county to access resources from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), with Emergency Management Agency Director Corey Kemp already coordinating with them to secure necessary supplies.
Bulloch County has also issued its own state of emergency, which prevents price gouging, prohibits unlicensed repair solicitations, and enables emergency purchases and ordinance suspensions if needed. Despite these measures, Bennett confirmed that no curfew would be enacted, as officials trust residents to act responsibly.
Bennett underscored the dangers of black ice and discouraged unnecessary travel, explaining that icy roads could lead to accidents and put both the public and first responders at risk. He acknowledged the novelty of the weather might tempt people to venture out, but stressed the importance of staying home to avoid creating additional hazards. He concluded by urging the community to be mindful of the risks, look out for one another, and remain off the roads during the storm.
Statesboro Mayor Jonathan McCollar announced that as of 5 p.m. Monday, January 20, the City of Statesboro declared a state of emergency in preparation for the upcoming winter storm. Reflecting on the challenges of past weather events like Hurricanes Helene and Debby, he urged residents to remain vigilant, monitor local weather updates, and stay off the roads whenever possible.
Mayor McCollar emphasized the importance of early precautions to ensure safety and encouraged the community to check on neighbors and vulnerable individuals.
The mayor assured citizens that city services are fully prepared, with the police and fire departments double-staffed and ready to respond. Public works teams are pre-treating roads, and utilities staff are available to assist with issues like frozen pipes.
He offered safety reminders, such as keeping generators three feet away from anything flammable, ensuring space heaters are used safely, and insulating pipes to prevent freezing. Updates on waste collection schedules were also provided, with adjustments due to the MLK holiday and weather conditions.
Mayor McCollar directed residents to visit ready.gov for more winter preparedness tips or to contact the public utilities department for assistance. He concluded with a call for safety, warmth, and community solidarity, expressing confidence in the readiness of city and county staff to handle the storm.
Corey Kemp, Director of Emergency Management for Bulloch County, opened by reassuring residents that the storm’s challenges will pass. He provided a weather update, stating that winter precipitation is expected to impact Bulloch County just before 4 p.m., with a 30-50% chance of sleet in the northern areas beforehand.
Kemp urged residents to finalize preparations and shelter in place after 4 p.m., stressing the importance of caution for those who must travel.
He shared details about local VOAD shelters, noting that Bulloch VOAD has partnered with Pittman Park and is currently open, offering showers and meals. Texas Roadhouse provided meals last night, and First Methodist will provide dinner tonight. Additional shelters, including Statesboro Mission Outreach Church and First Presbyterian Church, are on standby, with the latter also accommodating hospital staff. Kemp reminded residents to contact their utility providers directly if power outages occur and avoid calling 911 unless it is an emergency.
Kemp concluded by stating that he remains in communication with state officials for updates. At present, no entities in Bulloch County have requested state assistance, but the option is available if needed. He emphasized readiness and encouraged residents to stay safe and prepared.
Sheriff Noel Brown emphasized the importance of community cooperation during Winter Storm Enzo, urging Bulloch County residents to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary. He encouraged everyone to finalize their preparations now and to remain at home for the next several days to ensure their safety and to allow emergency responders and public works teams to do their jobs effectively.
Sheriff Brown said that unnecessary travel can create additional hazards, such as damaging roads or obstructing response efforts.
He acknowledged the excitement surrounding snow, particularly for children, and encouraged residents to enjoy the weather on private property rather than venturing onto public roads. He warned that those who disregard safety measures and create issues may face consequences, including potential legal action.
Sheriff Brown concluded with a heartfelt message of love and support for the community, emphasizing the importance of listening to the guidance shared during the press conference and working together to ensure everyone’s safety.
Public Works Director Dink Butler reiterated the importance of sheltering in place to allow emergency response teams to perform their duties effectively during Winter Storm Enzo. He emphasized that staying off the roads will make it easier for public works and other emergency services to respond to critical situations.
Public Works crews will pre-treat bridges and overpasses before dark to mitigate freezing hazards and will have emergency teams on standby to assist with life-threatening situations in coordination with fire, EMS, and the Sheriff’s Department. Butler also announced that the county airport will be closed later today as snow and ice accumulation begins, ensuring safe air travel.
He concluded with a heartfelt appeal for residents to care for their families and neighbors while practicing kindness and love during this challenging time.
Chief of Fire Prevention Joe Carter emphasized the importance of safety and preparation during Winter Storm Enzo, reiterating key points from other officials while stressing that the Bulloch County Fire Department will continue responding to calls, prioritizing life-threatening emergencies if road conditions become unsafe.
He shared that additional staffing and stations have been brought online to improve response times across the county. Carter urged residents to stay off the roads to prevent accidents, which can strain emergency resources.
Addressing concerns about power outages, Carter provided detailed safety tips for using generators, gas heaters, and other heating devices. He stressed the need for proper ventilation, ensuring generators are placed outdoors and turned off before refueling, and checking that carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are functioning.
He reminded residents to gather essential supplies, including medications, and to make provisions for pets. He also cautioned against unsafe practices like using heat lamps without proper precautions.
Carter concluded with a heartfelt plea for vigilance in using space heaters, noting a recent fatality in the county due to a structure fire. He urged residents to ensure heaters have at least three feet of clearance from flammable materials and are unplugged when not in use.
Carter expressed the department’s commitment to serving the community, asking for residents’ cooperation to ensure everyone’s safety during the storm.
Joel Hanner from Georgia Power provided updates on the company’s preparations for Winter Storm Enzo. He emphasized that crews are ready to respond quickly and safely to any potential outages, with a particular focus on addressing icing and accessibility issues.
Hanner encouraged customers to prepare now and highlighted several ways to stay informed, including signing up for outage alerts by texting "REG" to 42797 and reporting outages by texting "OUT" to the same number.
Customers can also visit the outage map at outagemap.georgiapower.com or use the Georgia Power mobile app for updates. Additional resources are available at georgiapower.com/storm and on their social media account, @GeorgiaPower on X (formerly Twitter).
Hanner stressed safety precautions, urging residents to avoid downed power lines and treat them as live. In the event of an outage, customers should call Georgia Power at 1-888-891-0938, and any hazardous conditions should be reported to 911.
Greg Proctor of Excelsior EMC provided updates on the utility company's preparations for Winter Storm Enzo. Proctor emphasized that crews are on standby with additional support from neighboring EMCs and contractors, ready to respond swiftly and safely as conditions allow.
He urged residents to stay indoors and off the roads, stressing the importance of avoiding downed power lines and assuming all are live. The added weight of snow and ice, combined with weakened tree limbs from past storms, increases the risk of damage to power lines.
Proctor shared practical safety tips, including the proper use of generators, ensuring smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are functional, and maintaining clearance for space heaters. He encouraged residents to prepare by charging devices, stocking up on essentials like water, non-perishable food, medications, and batteries, and having backup plans for medical equipment reliant on electricity.
Those with wells were advised to fill bathtubs with water to ensure availability during a power outage and to take precautions against frozen pipes.
Residents can report outages via phone at 912-685-2115, through Excelsior EMC's website, or using their smartphone app. Proctor assured the community that Excelsior EMC remains committed to restoring power as quickly as possible and serving its members throughout the storm. He urged everyone to stay informed by monitoring local weather, the company’s website, and social media channels, and concluded by emphasizing the importance of preparation and community cooperation to navigate the challenges of Winter Storm Enzo safely.
During the Q&A portion, Sheriff Brown addressed media questions about road safety during Winter Storm Enzo. He explained that roads will be deemed too dangerous when vehicles start losing traction and sliding, noting deputies will test road conditions and notify the public through social media when issues arise.
Sheriff Brown emphasized the community's lack of experience driving on icy roads and shared a story highlighting the importance of using extra caution. He also warned that damaging public property, such as tearing up roads, could result in charges, though enforcement is a last resort.
When asked about first responders' preparedness, Sheriff Brown stated that chains are available for emergency vehicles if needed, and crews will be pre-positioned across the county for quicker response times.
EMS Director Brian Hendrix indicated that, similar to hurricanes, there may be brief periods when calls are halted due to dangerous conditions, but service will resume as soon as it's safe. Officials also emphasized that staying home reduces the risk for both the public and first responders.
The session concluded with a reminder to follow official social media pages, utility updates, and local weather alerts for the latest information. Sheriff Brown, along with other leaders, urged residents to stay home, stay safe, and remain informed as the storm progresses.
