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County declares state of emergency in wake of Tuesday's storm
LL Storm 2
The Bryan County Courthouse was damaged Tuesday, April 5, 2022n after a storm passed through the city of Pembroke. - photo by Lewis Levine

Bryan County Commissioners have issued a state of emergency in wake of Tuesday's tornado in Pembroke and Ellabell, which has reportedly killed one person.

Here's the release:

Update 1: April 5 Tornado State of Emergency

A state of emergency has been declared by Bryan County in response to the tornado that touched down in the Pembroke and Ellabell areas. A state of emergency allows the County to utilize state resources for this event. A curfew is now in effect from 10:30pm to 6am to prohibit trespassing into the impacted areas of North Bryan County including Homestead, Park Place, the Black Creek Golf Course, and the County Buildings in Pembroke to protect properties.

A Red Cross assisted shelter at Lanier Primary is open for those displaced by the storm. Transportation by bus to the shelter is available from Pembroke City Hall at 353 N Main St, Pembroke, the Wilma Edwards entrance to Park Place and the Ellabell Post Office at 8745 US-280 E, Ellabell.

Emergency crews from Bulloch, Chatham, Liberty, Effingham, and Long Counties and the Cities of Screven, Pooler, Garden City, Rincon and more responded to the event. At this time, search and rescue has concluded their initial sweeps for injuries and those injuries have been transported to the hospital.

Donations should be directed to Ellabell United Methodist Church at 3279 GA-204, Ellabell

The tornado touched down around 5:40pm near the County Courthouse Complex in Pembroke and moved towards Park Place and Homestead neighborhoods causing damage. All non-emergency personnel should avoid the area. There are downed power lines in the path of the storm. Do not touch downed power lines and report them to the power companies. 

Update 2: April 5 Tornado Recovery

A State of Emergency remains in effect for damaged areas of North Bryan County. Search and Rescue crews are further sweeping the area of damage in the daylight. There has been significant damage to the Park Place and Homestead Drive neighborhoods, Hendrix Park, Black Creek Golf Club, and the areas of Pembroke including the County complex. Avoid these areas as you go about your day.

No further injuries have been found this morning.

Bryan County is in the process of surveying the damage. If your home is damaged in the impacted area, please send a photo with the address to the Bryan County Fire and Emergency Services Facebook or to mkent@bryan-county.org . This will help the County speed the survey to identify damage and get residents back to their properties sooner.

Donations should be directed to Ellabell United Methodist Church at 3279 GA-204, Ellabell.

There are downed power lines in the path of the storm. Do not touch downed power lines and report them to the power companies. Further updates will be released as they become available.

If you need non-emergency help or to request a welfare check, please call 912 858- INFO. Please be patient as this event is still ongoing.

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