AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – There can be big time disaster emergencies in Augusta, but an emergency management director is not a full-time position for the city.

“I think lessons learned from Hurricane Helene, we desperately need it as we try to recover our city as we try to prepare from the next storm,” said Mayor Garnett Johnson.  

The consolidation bill gives the mayor the authority to name an EMA director.

But for the last 20 years, the mayors have called on the fire chief to pull double duty while getting supplement pay.

But at the Mayor Johnson’s request, commissioners have approved beginning the process to hire a full time EMA director.

“You want to make sure that when disasters come, we are 100 percent fully prepared,” said Commissioner Stacy Pulliam.

“A city our size deserves someone who is full time committed to that role that helps with our storm preparedness,” said Mayor Johnson.

But when commissioners approved this year’s budget in November, funding for a new EMA director was not a part of it.

“You talking about cutting budgets but yet you’re talking about increasing personnel. It comes with a cost,” said Commissioner Tony Lewis.

“It will pay for itself as we go through this recovery for Hurricane Helene, as we try to see out grant opportunities and funding opportunities for reimbursement,” said the Mayor.

For sure the city has not seen its last emergency, now the city is seeking a permanent director to manage it.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Preparations are underway in Augusta for winter weather that’s expected to begin Friday morning.

Augusta Fire/EMA says they are working closely with county departments and preparing for the weather forecast to impact North and Central Georgia from 7 a.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday.

“The system is expected to bring a mix of rain, freezing rain, sleet, and snow, beginning Friday morning and continuing through the evening, with hazardous travel and power outages likely,” the city said in a statement.

On Thursday, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp declared a statewide State of Emergency, effective immediately through Tuesday, Jan. 14.

“The Georgia Department of Transportation, along with the Department of Public Safety, began treating roads early this morning to prepare for the approaching winter storm, and I’m asking all Georgians to help them do their jobs by limiting travel as much as possible in the coming days,” said Kemp. “Hazardous conditions, including ice and snow, can develop quickly and make travel very dangerous. Plan ahead and stay tuned to updates from state and local officials to ensure you and your loved ones remain safe while our first responders continue to work tirelessly throughout this weather event.”

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Ice accumulation is anticipated north of I-20, creating dangerous road conditions and the potential for widespread power disruptions. Freezing temperatures also increase the risk of hypothermia and frostbite for those exposed to the cold, according to Augusta officials.

The Georgia Department of Transportation began active brine operations overnight which continued Thursday morning across metro Atlanta and north Georgia. They say the application of brine will continue throughout Thursday in areas expected to be the most impacted by snow accumulation, sleet and freezing rain.

Crews are working 12-hour shifts and are prioritizing treating interstates, state routes, bridges and overpasses both north and south of and along I-20, according to the department.

Snowplow and removal crews and additional equipment will arrive Thursday and will respond in support of metro Atlanta crews when snow begins to fall, and active removal begins

City officials say the Emergency Operations Center is at Level 3 monitoring, ensuring all city departments are ready to respond.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting shelter checks, and the Marshal’s Office is on standby to assist as needed, according to officials. Augusta Utilities is protecting critical systems, issuing notices to help residents safeguard pipes, and preparing generators as well.

Augusta Engineering is pre-treating roads and preparing snow removal equipment, while Parks and Recreation is securing outdoor facilities and readying shelters for potential use.

City officials encourage you to avoid unnecessary travel and drive cautiously if travel is essential.

They also ask that you prepare homes by insulating pipes, securing outdoor items and assembling emergency kits. Check on vulnerable neighbors, and use generators safely to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning as well.

Shelters are available for those in need, including the Salvation Army Center of Hope, Garden City Rescue Mission and Augusta Rescue Mission.

At this time, officials say no ID checks will be required for shelter access.

With the forecast of potential ice accumulation across the region, there is a possibility for fallen trees and downed power lines. If you come across either, the Georgia Department of Transportation asks that you do not cross them and report them to your local authorities or 911.

They say it’s best to turn around and take an alternative route and to not try to clear tree limbs or other debris from roads as live power lines might be tangled in debris and pose a deadly hazard.

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The Riverwatch walker known for wearing skimpy clothing and flashing his package on the parkway has been identified as a registered sex offender from Augusta with multiple stints in prison for the most perverse sex crimes.

Timothy Kevin Marcus, 58, was arrested Wednesday afternoon by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office. He is accused of two incidents of public indecency, one on Dec. 11 on Reynolds Street and again on Jan. 6 on Riverwatch Parkway.

The official charges are public indecency – 3rd offense, a felony punishable by imprisonment for up to 5 years each. Additional charges may follow, authorities said.

Marcus has five previous convictions for similar offenses, including a 2017 incident in Columbia County when he wore a kilt on Washington Road and exposed himself. He has convictions for child molestation, peeping Tom, and multiple public indecency from other parts of the state.

In the 2017 case, Judge Michael Annis gave him a five-year sentence with the first four in confinement.

“The Sheriff’s Office is aware of the online social media footage circulating and is requesting that anyone with direct footage or additional information regarding any specific incident provide this information via email to the Sheriff’s Office,” a press release says, offering the email of pio@augustaga.gov

The man’s indecency has been posted all over social media. One resident said he was seen walking in a bodysuit pulled into a thong and exposing his buttocks with his full “wing ding on display.”

“Not a f**king care in the world,” the witness said. “Yes we called the police. Yes we gave footage. Yes others have apparently called the police before. Yes he has exposed himself to others countless times before and nothing has been done about it.”

The witness called it “terrifying.” She asked anyone walking the trails to be vigilant and aware.

WGAC’s Austin Rhodes has also blasted the man’s picture on Facebook, where he was shown both exposed from far away and with a body suit outlining his genitalia.

“In an effort to curb confusion and be consistent, I am proclaiming that until this fool is officially identified by his legal name…he shall be known as… LiL’ NUBBIN!” Rhodes told his Facebook readers and radio listeners.

Sheriff Gino Brantley expressed his appreciation, stating: “I would like to thank our media partners and the citizens who provided the critical information that allowed us to swiftly apprehend this suspect. By working together, we can accomplish so much more for the safety and well-being of the residents and visitors of Augusta-Richmond County.”

Additionally, Sheriff Brantley extended his gratitude to the dedicated men and women of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, saying: “I would also like to thank the men and women in our agency who ensured this arrest was carried out in a timely and professional manner.”

Marcus is currently being held at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center.