In an open letter dated February 5, 2026, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp addressed residents following a series of severe weather events that recently affected the state. The governor acknowledged the range of conditions faced across Georgia, from significant ice and snow in northern counties to threats of tornadoes and drought in southern regions.
Governor Kemp expressed gratitude for those who worked extended hours to ensure public safety during these incidents. He highlighted the coordinated response among various agencies: “These were all-hands-on-deck events, with forecasts shifting up until the arrival of these weather systems. At one point, Georgia Forestry Commission had teams in north Georgia responding to the ice storm, in southwest Georgia conducting tornadic activity clean-up and assessment, and in southwest Georgia responding to wildfire reports. That speaks to the range of weather we faced, and why I’m proud of both the preparation and response from all Georgians in recent days.”
The letter recognized law enforcement agencies at both state and local levels for their roles during the storms. Agencies including the Department of Public Safety (DPS), Georgia National Guard (GNG), Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC), and Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) provided continuous support alongside first responders.
Governor Kemp also commended emergency management efforts: “They did all this with the guidance of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS), which has done incredible work preparing Georgians and coordinating responses to severe weather. Director Joshua Lamb and his team always keep my office updated leading up to these events, as well as stakeholders across Georgia on what steps are needed to ensure the safety of our citizens.”
He specifically thanked the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) for preparing roads through brining or salting operations over two weekends: “It is a monumental undertaking to apply either brine or salt to our roads and bridges, but it is essential so Georgians can have access to food, water, or shelter, and for emergency personnel to reach those in need.”
Utility workers from companies such as Georgia Power were recognized for restoring power amid difficult conditions: “Another critical component of that response were the linemen and leadership from Georgia Power, our EMCs, and MEAG utilities who braved ice, snow, and record cold temperatures to restore power as quickly as they could.”
Governor Kemp also praised residents’ cooperation: “Finally, I want to extend a hearty thank you to you, the people of Georgia, for heeding our warnings and properly preparing yourselves. It could be easy to become fatigued by consecutive weekends hearing warnings of ice and snow, but Georgians held up their end.”
He concluded by reaffirming a commitment to preparedness: “We will always remain vigilant when storms like these threaten our state, and together, we will always put the safety of our people first.”
The Office of the Governor leads executive functions within Georgia’s government, overseeing operations such as public services during emergencies. The Governor’s Mansion in Atlanta serves as an official residence where many administrative activities take place. Since 1973, international economic development efforts have included representation offices abroad. The state provides governance aimed at supporting residents’ daily lives through oversight by its executive branch.
