Dougherty County steps up hurricane readiness
As the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season gets underway, Dougherty County, home to Albany, Georgia, is intensifying preparations for the potential impact of a Category 3 hurricane. According to Deputy EMA Director James Brown, the region is actively reviewing its Disaster Recovery and Redevelopment Plan and Local Emergency Operations Plan, key frameworks that guide response strategies during high-impact weather events.
Brown emphasized that Albany is officially designated a “Storm Ready” community. This means the county has met stringent preparedness criteria set by the National Weather Service, including having multiple communication systems, trained emergency personnel, and regular drills.
Historical context and storm impact
The urgency behind these preparations is grounded in recent history. In 2018, Hurricane Michael—a Category 3 hurricane—devastated parts of Georgia, marking the first time in a century such a powerful storm had struck the state. The damage to the agricultural sector alone exceeded $2 billion, and widespread property destruction was reported.
During that event, Albany was nearly on the right-front quadrant of the storm, the most dangerous sector where winds, storm surge, and tornadoes are most likely. Tommie Owens, WALB First Alert Meteorologist, stressed that storm category does not fully capture the potential for destruction, and all residents should maintain full readiness.
Community readiness and individual planning
In practical terms, Dougherty County is updating emergency contact databases, staffing its Emergency Operations Center, and ensuring call screeners are prepared. Brown advises residents to take the season seriously and to “make a family evacuation plan”. He urged: “Never ignore warnings. When you hear a warning, go ahead and prepare.”
Though infrastructure preparedness is high, personal responsibility remains critical. Whether Albany ends up on the left or right side of the hurricane’s path, being prepared for rapid escalation is essential. The memory of Hurricane Michael’s aftermath remains a powerful motivator for both authorities and residents.
Albany may be Storm Ready on paper, but its true readiness will be tested if and when the next major hurricane makes landfall in southwest Georgia.
