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A first responder is among at least 15 people who were killed in GA by Hurricane Helene, which swamped the state as a Category 2 storm.

GEORGIA — The Pierce County firefighter who was killed when a tree fell on his car Friday in Blackshear during Hurricane Helene was identified as Vernon "Leon" Davis, 11Alive reported.

He is among at least 15 deaths in Georgia attributed to the storm, a spokesperson for Gov. Brian Kemp told Atlanta News First.

Davis had been with Pierce County Fire Rescue for more than 30 years and was a part-time assistant fire chief, the news outlet reported.

The Associated Press reported at least 35 people in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas were killed in the tragic storm.

Kemp said Davis died as the storm tore through South Georgia as a Category 2 hurricane before dwindling to a tropical storm in metro Atlanta.

The governor said 115 damaged buildings had people trapped inside of them in Valdosta. Kemp was among state officials to share storm updates at a news conference.

He said the circumstances in metro Atlanta remained dangerous early afternoon, adding the risks of fallen trees and high-rise waters are still possible.

"This was a massive storm," Kemp said. "Even though it may not have been the highest category ... we know it's one of the (largest) wind fields ever in the Atlantic, which made it a statewide event for us here in Georgia."

A resilient state, Kemp noted Georgia has "a lot of hard work to do." He predicted Helene - a deadly storm - could have a heftier price tag than Hurricane Michael, which forced nearly $1.9 million in federal funding for recovery in October 2018 in 18 U.S. counties.

Helene crept into Georgia after pummeling north Florida, near the Big Bend, Thursday as a Category 4 system.

The recovery process in Georgia began Friday after Helene battered the Peach State overnight, leaving destruction in its wake. One of the hardest hit areas was Valdosta.

Police and government agencies across Georgia reported downed trees, fallen street signs and power lines and flooded streets.

Helene maintained at least 90 mph Friday morning in South Georgia, and blew winds of 100 mph in Bacon County.

The National Hurricane Center has issued a flash flood emergency for metro Atlanta, where several roads were shut down due to roadway debris or floods.

Kemp tweeted he and his family were sad to hear two people died in Wheeler County due to Helene.

A man and woman were killed after a tornado swooped up their trailer, hurled it across the highway and caused it to hit two cars before dropping it in a field, news outlet WTOC reported.

"As we join their families in mourning their deaths, we urge all Georgians to brace for further impact from Helene, remain vigilant and pray for all those affected," Kemp tweeted.

In Laurens County, two people were killed. First Coast News reported one person died after a tree fell on their home, and the other person was killed in a car crash.

A Moultrie resident's car crashed into a downed tree, killing the person, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.

Few people were injured from Helene's impact.

A tree fell on a Griffin woman's home, injuring her, the news outlet reported. Neighbors who heard noise notified authorities, and emergency medical personnel were able to extricate the woman, Fox 5 reported.

A Clayton County officer on his way home from working a morning watch shift was injured after a hardwood tree fell on the front of his patrol car, totaling the car, Clayton County Police said.

The officer suffered minor injuries and was taken to a hospital for evaluation, police said. He is doing well, police said.

"It’s truly a blessing that he wasn’t driving faster, as the tree could have landed directly on the cab," police said in a Facebook post.

A wind advisory is in place until 9 p.m. Friday due to southwest winds of 15-25 mph and wind up to 40 mph.

The advisory was issued for Forsyth, Hall, Bartow, Cobb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Fayette, Clayton, Cherokee, Spalding, Douglas, Greene, DeKalb, Rockdale, Walton, Troup, Chattooga, Oconee, Clarke and Barrow counties among others.

A flash flood warning for southeastern Cherokee County, northeastern Cobb County, central DeKalb County, southwestern Forsyth County, northeastern Fulton County and Gwinnett County was extended to 3:15 p.m. Friday.

Georgia Gator Dies in Helene

An alligator that wandered onto Interstate 75 north in Crisp County overnight has died, the Georgia Department of Transportation's Southwest Division said via Facebook. The reptile was found near mile marker 105.

Transportation officials said they believed it came from a nearby pond. "The alligator's death "may be the oddest part of our Hurricane Helene experience so far," they said.

County maintenance workers moved the "sizable" alligator from the roadway so it would not be a hazard.

"We don't know if weather conditions will result in more gators or other wildlife venturing onto roadways, but you should always keep an eye out for road hazards. And please report any road hazard on a state route by calling 511," transportation officials said.

Georgia's Response to Helene

In anticipation of Helene, Kemp ordered a state of emergency in all 159 counties. The order will expire at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday.

On Friday, the governor issued an order to allow the Georgia Department of Defense to deploy an additional 1,000 Georgia National Guard troops for storm response.

Search and rescue teams from Maryland are in town to assist with recovery efforts, Kemp said.

Kemp asked drivers to stay off of roads so first responders are able to get to people.

He said work is also being done to save people who are trapped inside of structures.

"We'll have to literally cut our way into situations like this," Kemp said.

The Georgia DOT reported 152 road closures statewide. Interstate 16 in Laurens County and Interstate 20 in McDuffie County were also closed.

As for traffic lights, Kemp said 1,300 signals were offline.

State officials were deploying generators to impacted areas, particularly in Valdosta.

Due to flooding, a water release must be conducted on Lake Rabun in Rabun County, Kemp said. Residents are being evacuated.

Seventeen shelters statewide are housing 1,700 people, Kemp said. State officials have deployed resources to assist a Coffee County shelter that lost its roof.

South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta lost its generator when a tree fell on top of it, leaving the Azalea City's hospital without power. State officials and Georgia Power are working to restore power with a backup generator.

Crops and poultry houses were affected by Helene, Kemp said.

Georgia Agricultural Commissioner Tyler Harper said crops east of Interstate 75 were significantly damaged, including timber and pecan trees. Food-processing facilities lost power.

"There's a lot of work still left to be done," he said. "There's a lot of assessment still left to be done."

Harper added crop producers and farmers should document damage for assessment.

Metro Atlanta Underwater and Without Power

First responders in multiple counties, including Cobb County, worked to rescue people from the flooded waters in metro Atlanta.

Cobb County government officials released video showing a car partially submerged in Mableton, with the occupant being rescued.

The Chattahoochee River and some creeks overflowed, including in Buckhead, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said in an update.

"Overnight, we did experience some individuals that were stranded in their vehicles, and we've had swift recovery by Atlanta Fire Rescue Department," Dickens said.

He added Atlanta fire crews have performed at least 20 boat rescues, saving pets and families from homes and cars.

People who are considered homeless in Atlanta have been relocated to shelters and recreational facilities, Dickens said.

A user on X shared photos of what they said was a water rescue in Buckhead. One photo showed water rising halfway up to a stop sign.

"The effects of the hurricane are widespread and worsening as damage continues. There is widespread flooding, high wind gusts and impassable roads. Damage assessment crews evaluate where resources are needed to get your power on as quickly as possible. Additionally, our tree crews are out clearing debris and damage to create a safe path for line crews to work," Georgia Power said in a statement.

"In addition to crews in the field, our distribution center, store rooms, fleet crews and logistics are all hands on deck. Our distribution team is using our smart technology to reroute power where we can. Our store room crews are preparing extra tools and materials for when trucks need to restock. Our fleet team is ready with fuel to keep our trucks moving."

After Helene

As Tropical Storm Helene continued barreling north into the U.S. Southeast Friday morning, three new areas are being watched for possible tropical development, according to the National Hurricane Center.

With all eyes on Helene this week, Hurricane Isaac quietly formed in the central Atlantic. It poses no risk to the U.S., though, as it moves northeast out to sea.

Meanwhile, Invest 98-L, an area of low pressure that is producing showers and thunderstorms mid-way between the Cabo Verde Islands and the Lesser Antilles, “continues to become better organized,” NHC said. The system “is already producing gale-force winds.”

This invest has a 90 percent chance of strengthening into a tropical depression or storm, which could form Friday as the system moves west-northwest at 10-15 mph, forecasters said.

It's expected to slow down and turn north-northwest by the weekend, NHC added.

Right behind Invest 98-L is a potential area of low pressure that could form by early to the middle of next week, according to the agency. After this, “slow development” of the potential system could take place as it moves northwest. There is a 20 percent chance that it strengthens into a tropical depression or storm in the next week.

In the western Caribbean Sea, another area of low pressure could form by the middle of next week, NHC said.

There is a 30 percent chance of it developing into a tropical depression or storm in the next week.

Patch editor Tiffany Razzano contributed to this report.

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