Georgia Department of Transportation

07/09/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 07/09/2025 11:53

Georgia DOT helps citizens weather the storm during hurricane season

GDOT article detail

Last September, Hurricane Helene made a direct impact on Georgia as a Category 2 storm, bringing high winds and heavy rainfall statewide over several days. After the storm passed, over 300 state routes, including three major interstates, were impassable due to flooding, debris, and downed power lines - roughly 720 traffic signals were disabled or compromised due to the storm's impact. For days and weeks following the hurricane, Georgia DOT crews worked diligently to resume normal traffic operations for motorists to travel safely.

Helene was just one of several hurricanes to impact Georgia in recent years, and the National Weather Service is predicting a 60% chance of an abov​e-normal season for 2025.

Using the latest data and storm tracking technology from the National Weather Service, Georgia DOT can identify the predicted path of a hurricane nearly a week before it impacts the state. During this time, the department works proactively to enhance the safety of Georgia citizens by employing extra Coordinated Highway Assistance and Maintenance Program (CHAMP) operators to assist motorists. CHAMP operators work outside of the metro Atlanta area, including the southern and eastern portions of the state which statistically are most often affected by hurricanes. The department also assigns additional staff at rest areas and collaborates with their Transportation Management Center in Atlanta to provide important communications to the media and the public.

Another safety measure the state of Georgia can deploy to prepare for a hurricane is contraflow - the process of temporarily reversing the flow of traffic in the travel lanes to reduce congestion caused by emergency evacuations, such as a hurricane. Before contraflow can be implemented on I-16, Georgia's Governor must issue an executive order declaring a State of Emergency and mandating evacuation for the most affected counties. Once the order is in place, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) authorizes Georgia DOT and Georgia State Patrol to coordinate to reverse traffic flow and support evacuation efforts safely.

Normal traffic flow in South Georgia allows motorists to travel westbound and eastbound on Interstate 16 (I-16) between Macon and Savannah. During a hurricane, contraflow measures expedite motorists out of a storm's path by redirecting eastbound traffic westbound towards Macon for a 125-mile stretch between Savannah and U.S. 441 in Dublin.

Efficiently reversing traffic with a storm approaching takes a coordinated team effort involving Georgia DOT and many state government and law enforcement agencies.

Jill Nagel, Georgia DOT District 5 Communications Officer, explains that contraflow measures on I-16 are implemented during daylight hours and after the governor has issued a mandatory evacuation order only.

Once that order is given, those measures can be up and running in 24 hours.​

Jill Nagel

Before sunrise, Georgia DOT will open a crossover at the I-95 interchange near Savannah and another west of Dublin to assist motorists in transitioning from regular westbound lanes to contraflow lanes. The department also works closely with the Georgia State Patrol and law enforcement officers in neighboring states to mitigate the effects of additional motorists on the roadways.

According to the National Weather Service, the path of a typical hurricane can be over 300 miles wide. Hurricane Helene caused extensive flooding, uprooted trees, and damaged infrastructure across the state, including areas not typically affected by hurricanes or tropical storms such as northwest Georgia. Any of the state's 159 counties could be affected by a hurricane even if a mandatory evacuation is not in effect.

The Georgia DOT's 511GA is a free resource for traveling motorists to use, especially before, during, and after a hurricane. It's available by dialing 511 on your phone, visiting the website, or downloading the app from the Apple or Google Play app store to plan your travel safely. 511GA provides the following information:Learn your evacuation routes ahead of a potential hurricane impact.

  • Get real-time weather alerts and forecasts using our interactive weather radar.
  • ​Be continuously updated on roadway conditions, road closures, and traffic flow, including congestion and incident alerts across the state. before you get in your vehicle.
  • ​​Safety tips for your vehicle, especially in severe weather, so you can safely reach your destination.

GEMA/HS also offers Georgians an interactive map on their website to "Know Your Zone," a useful way to find their hurricane evacuation zone by entering an address or their current location.

After a hurricane's impact, Georgia DOT is committed to safety and recovery efforts. When life-threatening weath​​er conditions have passed and it is deemed safe to do so, maintenance crews will work to reopen roads, prioritizing interstates, state routes, and crucial access roads to hospitals, schools, and energy production sites. Additionally, state police will drive and fly over the contraflow section of I-16 to make sure it is clear before contraflow efforts are reversed and normal traffic resumes.

Anyone evacuated by a hurricane should remain cautious when returning home because there may be roadways still being cleared of debris or excessive water.

We understand your desire to get home, and Georgia DOT needs to make sure the roads are clear and safe for you to do so.

Jill Nagel

Learn more about Georgia DOT's hurricane response timeline, including contraflow information and more ways you can stay safe and prepared during a hurricane here.

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Georgia Department of Transportation published this content on July 09, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on July 09, 2025 at 17:54 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at support@pubt.io