A couple of local emergency agencies are taking part in a statewide disaster drill this week, simulating the response to a hurricane hitting the Georgia Coast.
The Hall County and Forsyth County Sheriff's offices are among the approximately 9,000 people taking part in the response, called "Vigilant Guard 2017."
"Six other states, 15 federal agencies, 18 Georgia state agencies, 31 counties ... are going to participate in this exercise," said Major General Joe Jarrard, Georgia National Guard, in an interview with the Georgia News Network.
The drill, which simulates a category three or four hurricane hitting the coast near Savannah, started on Thursday.
"We've had National guard forces from outside the state coming into the state over the weekend. It's been kind of a warm start until (Monday) morning, and now we're really going to kick it off and go full bore until Friday," said Jarrard.
Officials hope this will prepare responders should a real hurricane make its way to the coast.
The Georgia News Network contributed to this story.
