It's been almost two weeks since a series of mishaps ahead of the ice storm put Georgia's top emergency official on a hot seat that only seemed to be getting hotter. Since then, embarrassing emails have raised more questions about Charley English's performance, and petitions have called for his head.

But English hasn't gone anywhere. And the wintry weather zeroing in on Atlanta this week could offer him a chance at redemption.

Gov. Nathan Deal has declined to comment on the future of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency’s head. But an interview Friday with Deal and documents obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution suggest English has begun to redeem himself in the eyes of the governor and his top aides.

“I’ve seen a significant difference in the response time and the information that he’s conveying,” Deal said in the interview. “I just don’t want him to overreact. That’s the greatest danger he can have. Don’t jump the gun. Because these situations have a very significant economic impact.”

About the Author

Keep Reading

Ernie Suggs, a reporter at the AJC since 1997, reviews a selection of articles he has contributed to during his time with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, as of Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Featured

U.S. Rep. Mike Collins' Senate campaign used Sen. Jon Ossoff's Senate portrait (center) to create an AI-generated video of Ossoff talking about his vote not to end the government shutdown.  The video was reposted to Collins' campaign account on X (left). (Screenshot)

Credit: Screenshot