Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025
Good morning! Here’s hoping you’re safe and warm during Winter Storm Enzo. We have the latest updates on how that storm is affecting Coastal Georgia this morning. We’re also looking at a failed attempt to increase protections for right whales, as well as anti-environmental executive orders from President Donald J. Trump’s first day back in office. Finally, we examine how long-term water planning for the Savannah area is beginning to take shape.
Questions, tips or concerns? Send me a note at mary.landers@thecurrentga.org
NEWS: WEATHER
Braced for Enzo
Along with the rest of the state, Coastal Georgia braced for cold temperatures and dangerous roads as Winter Storm Enzo arrived in the early evening Tuesday. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning through noon Wednesday for all six Coastal Georgia counties, with expected total snow and sleet accumulations between 2 and 4 inches and freezing rain and ice accumulations around one tenth of an inch for the northern coastal counties. More snow, up to 5 inches, was forecast for counties further inland including Bulloch, Candler, Effingham, Evans, Jenkins, Screven, and Tattnall.
A cold weather advisory is also in place for Coastal Georgia as far south as McIntosh County through 10 a.m. Thursday, with wind chills dipping to 10 degrees Fahrenheit Wednesday night.
The Current has you covered with lists of closings and warming centers by county, updated as needed.
In case you’re wondering, The Weather Channel began naming winter storms like Enzo in the 2012/2013 season. The National Weather Service has named hurricanes and tropical storms since 1953 but does not follow the practice for winter storms, which don’t have agreed-upon criteria on which to categorize them.
NEWS: ENVIRONMENT
Expanded whale protection abandoned
NOAA last week withdraw its proposed expansion of the vessel speed rule, which aimed to minimize the threat of boat strikes to the remaining 370 North Atlantic right whales.
Wildlife advocates were deflated by the news, fearing it would spell the end of these whales that give birth off Georgia. But Coastal Georgia Congressman Buddy Carter (R-St. Simons) was “thrilled,” calling the proposed rule “burdensome,” as The Current’s Mary Landers reports.
Researchers have documented seven newborn right whale calves so far this season, including two first seen last week. That’s still far below the minimum of 20 calves they’d like to see annually to help boost the population.
ANALYSIS: ENVIRONMENT
A flurry of executive action
On “Day One” of President Donald J. Trump’s second term Monday he signed dozens of executive orders, including several aimed at rolling back climate policies. He again withdrew the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement, as he did in June, 2017 before Joe Biden re-upped the commitment on his first day in office. He also declared an “energy emergency.” The moves come after climate scientists at NOAA report that Earth experienced its hottest year on record in 2024.
Not surprisingly, environmentalists are pushing back on Trump’s actions, as Kiley Price of Inside Climate News reports.
NEWS: ENVIRONMENT
Water plans emerge
Gov. Brian Kemp last week made public his proposal for $500 million in loans and grants to Savannah, and Effingham and Bryan counties to expand the treatment and supply of drinking water from the Savannah River in the area, as The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Adam Van Brimmer reports here. The funding, which still must be approved as part of Kemp’s proposed mid-year budget, would assist Effingham in creating its first large-scale water treatment plant. Read a two-page summary of the proposal from the governor’s office in the link below.
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Feds abandon expansion of speed rule meant to protect right whales
NOAA has withdrawn a proposal to expand protection of endangered right whales that give birth off the Georgia coast.
As Trump declares ‘Energy Emergency,’ environmentalists stress worsening ‘Climate Emergency’
Several of the Trump’s “Day One” executive orders have profound implications for the climate.
Winter Storm Enzo: County updates
News from Coastal Georgia counties, including warming centers, other assistance, closings
First case of commercial bird flu: ‘serious threat’ to Georgia’s ag industry
Broilers are big business for Georgia, representing the state’s top commodity. In 2023, broilers had a farm gate value of $5.8 billion, according to an analysis released this month. That represents one-third of Georgia’s total agricultural commodities.
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