Georgia governor pleads for patience, calm amid storm clean-up efforts

(NECN: Atlanta, Georgia) – Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue is pleading with state residents to be patient as rescuers, clean-up crews and utility workers get through the flooding ordeal that is gripping the state. Speaking at a morning news conference in Atlanta, the governor asked for safety and calm in order to get life adjusted. Washed-out roads have contributed to the deaths of at least eight people in the southeastern U.S., following days of heavy rain. A state of emergency has been declared in 17 counties across Georgia. More are expected. Forecasters are predicting more rain heading towards Atlanta from the west and are expected to arrive before the end of the week.