Hurricane Ian: Gov. Brian Kemp gives update on Georgia's preparations for storm

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp was joined by joined state and local emergency management officials in Savannah Thursday to brief residents on preparations and response to Tropical Storm Ian as it prepares to make landfall in Georgia.

The state of emergency issued on Tuesday went into effect at 7 a.m. Thursday allowing state resources to be available to local governments within the storm's impact area.

Ian is expected to bring three to six inches of rain with locally higher

amounts, coastal flooding and gusty winds, according to the National Weather Service. However, the storm has degraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm and is moving eastward, bringing less damaging conditions than predicted earlier in the week.

Tropical storm vs. hurricane: Tropical storm vs. hurricane: Know the differences and what Savannah can expect from Ian

More: Hurricane Ian: Bryan, Effingham counties brace for storm impact, potential tornadoes

Hurricane Ian: Here is what Savannah, Chatham officials want you to know to prepare

"We just want to remind everyone to be weather aware of that and take precautions now to keep you and your family safe," Kemp said.

At this time, Kemp said the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport will remain open and operational and the Savannah port terminal has been cleared. The Talmadge Bridge continues to remain open while the Sidney Lanier Bridge closed Thursday morning.

Laura Nwogu is the quality of life reporter for Savannah Morning News. Contact her at LNwogu@gannett.com. Twitter: @lauranwogu_

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp briefs on Tropical Storm Ian in Savannah