Kemp Issues Emergency Declaration For Fulton County After Grady Water Pipe Bursts

Gov. Brian Kemp on Friday issued an emergency declaration for Fulton County following a catastrophic failure of Grady Memorial Hospital's internal piping system that rendered multiple floors of the hospital inoperable.

A 2-foot water pipe burst, causing extensive electrical damage on several floors. The hospital said 158 beds will be inaccessible for several months.

After diverting ambulances, Grady, which advertises itself as the busiest trauma center on the East Coast, began accepting trauma, stroke and burn patients in the E.R.

On Tuesday, Emory Healthcare also began diverting ambulance calls due to an overload of patients coming from Grady.

Due to increased patient load, surrounding metro Atlanta hospitals are now experiencing capacity challenges, the governor's office said in a news release.

"In order to ensure residents and visitors have access to adequate trauma centers, Kemp has declared emergency assistance from the state of Georgia is necessary to provide for the public’s safety.

Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency Director Homer Bryson, Grady Memorial Hospital CEO John Haupert, Georgia Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Kathleen Toomey, and staff with the governor's office will hold a press conference at 11:30 a.m. at the state Capitol building in Atlanta.