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Danny becomes fourth named storm of anticipated active season
Hurricane preparedness materials
Available materials LCEMA displayed at a recent Lowe’s hurricane preparedness event . . - photo by Photo by Lawrence Dorsey

Tropical Storm Danny was the fourth named storm of the 2021 hurricane season. Danny formed off the coast of South Carolina Monday and by 3 p.m. was strong enough to become a named storm. Danny made landfall in South Carolina and weakened becoming a tropical depression expected to bring heavy rainfall to coastal South Carolina and Georgia, and inland across Georgia and into Alabama. 

Hurricane season officially began June 1 and goes until the end of November. However, 2021 is yet another year for supposed climate changes has allowed for the formation of names storms prior to June 1.

Tropical Storm Ana formed ten days before the official start of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season, making 2021 the seventh consecutive year in which a tropical or subtropical cyclone formed before the official start of the season.

Liberty County Emergency Management Director Robert Dodd said the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s climate prediction center is predicting another above-normal Atlantic hurricane season.

“Forecasters predict a 60 percent chance of an above-normal season, a 30 percent chance of a near-normal season, and a 10 percent chance of a below-normal season,” Dodd said. “We have had four named storms already this year. We ask that the residents of Liberty County plan now in the event of severe weather.”

Dodd said early preparations will help ease the stress when a pending hurricanes approaches. Taking steps now ensures your family and your property will be ready to weather the storm

“Please don't wait till the last minute to get your valuables and necessities in order, by that time it may be too late,” Dodd said. “Having a Disaster Supply Kit will help with some of the essentials and may even save a life.”

Dodd said Liberty County has two evacuation zones, A and B. He said it is important to know which zone you live in.

This way when your area is given the order to evacuate from a reputable source such as the National Weather Service / National Hurricane Center, Local / State Officials, and media do so by your appropriate zone.

Once you evacuate, you’ll need a re-entry pass to return home after a storm and when allowed to do so.

The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency will coordinate the process post-storm so that essential workers can make the areas safe for your return home

Re-entry permits are issued by GEMA/HS to control the number of people returning to the affected area.

“Remember that every storm is unique and focus on the impacts, flooding is the number one killer from tropical systems,” Dodd said. “Follow us on our Facebook page for helpful information and updates from the National Hurricane Center.”

Dodd suggested the following in preparing for this year’s season:

Disaster Supply Kit:
Water-at least a 3-day supply; one gallon per person per day.
Food-at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food
Flashlight/Extra Batteries
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
First aid kit
Medications (7-day supply) and medical items (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, cane)
Multi-purpose tool
Sanitation and personal hygiene items
Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
Cell phone with chargers
Family and emergency contact information
Extra cash
Emergency blanket
Map(s) of the area
Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl). Don't forget your Pets
Tools/supplies for securing your home
Extra set of car keys and house keys
Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes
Rain gear/Insect repellent and sunscreen
Camera for photos of damage

For more information on hurricane prep and to apply for a re-entry permit visit: https://gema.georgia.gov/plan-prepare/ready-georgia





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3rd ID, Army, allies mourn four soldiers lost in accident
Farewell ceremony set for Thursday morning in Lithuanian capital
Lithuania search-Mass
U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania Kara McDonald, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, commanding general 1st Armored Division, and Command Sgt. Maj. James Light, 1st Armored Division, pause for a moment of prayer during a special church service at the Vilnius cathedral in Lithuania for the U.S. soldiers who went missing at a military training site earlier this week.

The four U.S. Army soldiers assigned to 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry found deceased near Pabradė, Lithuania have been identified.  

The Army has confirmed the four soldiers who died when their vehicle sank into a bog as Staff Sgt. Edvin Franco, 25, Staff Sgt. Jose Duenez, 25, PFC Dante Taitano, 21, and Staff Sgt. Troy Knutson-Collins, 28.

"First and foremost, we offer condolences to the loved ones of our soldiers,” said Gen. Christopher Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa. “I can't say enough about the support our Lithuanian Allies have provided us. We have leaned on them, and they, alongside our Polish and Estonian Allies - and our own sailors, airmen and experts from the Corps of Engineers - have enabled us to find and bring home our soldiers. This is a tragic event, but it reinforces what it means to have Allies and friends.” 

The four soldiers, who were the crew of a M88A2 armored recovery vehicle, went missing in the early morning hours of March 25. Their vehicle eventually was found March 26 but it was beneath approximately 14 feet of water and sunk into more than six feet of mud.

Crews worked to drain the area around the vehicle to make it stable for heavy equipment needed to pull out the M88. U.S. Navy divers were flown in and attached cables to hoist points so the submerged vehicle could be lifted out of the bog.

"This past week has been devastating. Today our hearts bear the weight of an unbearable pain with the loss of our final Dogface Soldier," said Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, 3rd ID commanding general. “Though we have received some closure, the world is darker without them.” 

Knutson-Collins, Duenez Jr., and Franco were all posthumously promoted to the rank of staff sergeant.

Knutson-Collins was an artillery mechanic with over seven years in the Army. He arrived at Fort Stewart in February 2018 and was assigned to 1/41 Field Artillery Battalion.

Knutson-Collins graduated from the Army Basic Leader Course, the Advanced Leaders Course, the Tracked Vehicle Recovery Operations course, and the Combat Lifesaver course. He deployed to Korea in 2020.

His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Master Technician Badge.

“Words cannot express how deeply this loss is felt by everyone in our unit,” said Capt. Jackson Patillo, commander, Foxtrot Company, 1/41 Field Artillery Battalion. “Staff Sgt. Troy Collins was an exceptional friend to all of us and an irreplaceable member to our entire Fox family that we will truly miss.”

“The pain we feel from this loss is insurmountable,” said Lt. Col. Erick Buckner, 1/41 Field Artillery Battalion commander. “Staff Sgt. Knutson-Collins was well loved throughout our unit and a brother to all. He was an expert, an incredibly talented mechanic and a warrior. We will never forget his dedication to his unit, his family and his country.”

“We are incredibly relieved that we were able to bring this recovery to an end and bring closure to all the families, friends and teammates of our soldiers,” said Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, commanding general of the 1st Armored Division, who also grew up on Fort Stewart. “We cannot thank our Allies and fellow service members enough, especially the Lithuanians, who spared no resource in support of this mission. Together, we delivered on our promise to never leave a fallen comrade.” 

Throughout the seven-day recovery effort, the combined and joint team worked day and night to find the soldiers. 

“As the fourth and final soldier has been recovered from this tragic accident, we will continue to mourn their loss as we work to quickly return our Dog Face Soldiers home to their families,” said Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza, commanding general of V Corps and former Fort Stewart and 3rd ID commanding general. “It has been truly amazing and very humbling to watch the incredible recovery team from different commands, countries and continents come together and give everything to recover our Soldiers. Thank you, Lithuania, Poland, Estonia, the U.S. Navy and the Army Corps of Engineers. We are forever grateful.” 

All four soldiers were deployed to Lithuania in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve to provide credible ground deterrence alongside Allies and partners, and were permanently stationed at Fort Stewart. 

“I'm immensely proud of our entire team. They have been relentless in their efforts to search and recover our soldiers and get every capability and asset necessary to enable this effort,” Gen. Donahue said. 

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also posted on X his sorrow at the loss of the four soldiers.

“I want to personally extend my deepest condolences to the families of all four fallen soldiers,” he wrote. “Our hearts are heavy across the Department of Defense. We are deeply grateful to our brave servicemembers who enabled this difficult recovery and to our Lithuanian hosts who labored alongside them. The recovery was conducted with urgency, resolve and deep respect for the fallen. We will never forget these soldiers — and our prayers are with their families.”

A farewell ceremony for the soldiers will be held Thursday morning in Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital.

“Every soldier is also a Lithuanian soldier, and their families’ pain is our pain,” said a statement from the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense.

The U.S. Army is investigating the cause of the accident. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. 

"We continue to stand by the families and loved ones through this incredibly difficult time,” said Maj. Gen. Norrie. “Now, it’s time to bring them home.” 

 

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