Georgia military bases prepping to provide aid as Ian approaches

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Military members around the country are on high alert in the wake of Ian approaching its second landfall.

The 165th Airlift Wing in Savannah officially closed on Thursday while Dobbins Air Force Base in metro Atlanta remains open.

“Fingers crossed we are just going to get a little rain and wind but for our neighbors down south, that certainly looks much different,” USAF Maj. Stephani Schafer told Channel 2′s Elizabeth Rawlins.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

So far, it’s still business as usual for folks at Dobbins but that could change.

“Because we are in the path, we are in a waiting period to see how we can provide any assistance,” said Maj. Schafer.

RELATED STORIES:

• Ian to strengthen into a hurricane again before hitting GA/SC coast
• As Florida damage becomes clear, Georgia braces for Hurricane Ian
• Hurricane Ian: If you’re in Georgia or the Carolinas, here is what you need to do now
• Gov. Kemp says Ian ‘is coming our way’ and warns Georgians to take precautions now
• Photos: Floridians begin assessing catastrophic Hurricane Ian damage

Depending on the location, some bases further south have closed and other bases further north are housing aircraft and folks who evacuated.

The Georgia Air National Guard sent Channel 2 Action News a statement on Thursday that read:

The Georgia National Guard is prepared to provide response and recovery support to areas impacted by Hurricane Ian should support be required. The Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) is the lead agency. We will continue to partner with GEMA as well as other local, state, and federal entities at the direction of the Governor.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Ian to strengthen into a hurricane again before hitting GA/SC coast State officials said there are no planned evacuations along Georgia’s coast as forecasters believe Ian will restrengthen into a hurricane again.

©2022 Cox Media Group