Deal expands state of emergency

Gov. Nathan Deal has expanded the state of emergency to include 31 additional counties, bringing the total to 45.

The additional counties include: Dade, Walker, Catoosa, Whitfield, Chattooga, Gordon, Floyd, Bartow, Polk, Paulding, Cobb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Barrow, Haralson, Carroll, Douglas, DeKalb, Clarke, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Wilkes, Walton, Rabun, Habersham, Stephens, Franklin, Hart, Madison, Elbert and Lincoln counties.

The governor declared a state of emergency in the following counties earlier today: Murray, Fannin, Gilmer, Union, Towns, Pickens, Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Cherokee, Forsyth, Hall, Banks and Jackson counties.

Deal will expand the order to additional counties as conditions warrant. For the most up-to-date announcements, please follow the governor on Twitter, @GovernorDeal.