(ATLANTA) – With heavy rain, flooding and high winds from Tropical Storm Elsa threatening the state, Governor Brian P. Kemp declared a State of Emergency Tuesday evening for 92 counties, ensuring state resources are available for those potentially affected by the storm.

Georgia Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency has activated the State Operations Center, and is actively monitoring the storm, working with local governments, and coordinating with state, public and private sector partners to prepare for potential impacts.

"We want to urge Georgians to take every precaution, and not discount the threat Elsa poses because it has been downgraded to a Tropical Storm," said GEMA/HS Director Chris Stallings. "The potential for flooding and high winds, along with isolated tornadoes is enough of a threat that everyone should make necessary preparations in anticipation of Tropical Storm Elsa's arrival in Georgia later today."

The 92 Counties currently under the State of Emergency are: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Baker, Baldwin, Ben Hill, Berrien, Bibb, Bleckley, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Calhoun, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Chattahoochee, Clay, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Crawford, Crisp, Decatur, Dodge, Dooly, Dougherty, Early, Echols, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Glynn, Grady, Hancock, Houston, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Jones, Lanier, Laurens, Lee, Liberty, Long, Lowndes, Macon, Marion, McDuffie, McIntosh, Miller, Mitchell, Montgomery, Muscogee, Peach, Pierce, Pulaski, Quitman, Randolph, Richmond, Schley, Screven, Seminole, Stewart, Sumter, Tattnall, Taylor, Telfair, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Turner, Twiggs, Ware, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Webster, Wheeler, Wilcox, Wilkinson, and Worth.

Coastal residents should prepare by:

Creating a Ready kit. This information can be found on the Ready Georgia portion of the GEMA/HS website.

Making a communications plan and discuss it with your family.

Staying informed by monitoring local media reports, county alerts, and weather alerts.

Additional information on preparedness and updates from GEMA/HS is available through GEMA/HS’s website at gema.georgia.gov/ready-georgia.

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As part of the Office of the Governor, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency collaborates with local, state and federal governments in partnership with private sector and non-governmental organizations to protect life and property against man-made and natural emergencies. GEMA/HS’s website and preparedness campaign provides Georgians with the knowledge needed to effectively prepare for disasters. Go to gema.georgia.gov/plan-prepare/ready-georgia for information on developing a custom emergency plan and Ready kit.