Senate President Pro Tempore Butch Miller (R – Gainesville) released the following statement on Governor Nathan Deal’s emergency declaration for all 159 Georgia counties:

“On behalf of the Georgia Senate, I want to emphasis the Governor’s declaration and encourage all of our citizens to take all necessary precautions as Hurricane Florence approaches. We appreciate all of our state agencies tireless efforts to stay prepared for whatever may occur on our shores and inland once the hurricane makes land fall. Please heed the warnings from officials and do not take any unnecessary risks. It is also important that we show hospitality and kindness to evacuees in our state. The safety of our citizens and guests is of the upmost importance and I am encouraged by the preparations that are already in place. The Georgia Senate joins our Governor in praying for the safety of everyone in the path of this historic storm.”