Residents clean up after Hurricane Helene

Documenting damage

EMS Director Jason Lewis asks Oglethorpe County residents to send photos of storm damage with the corresponding location to jlewis@oglethorpecountyga.gov for documentation.

  • John Turner, who lives on South Gilmer Street in Lexington, cuts up one of the five trees that fell on his family's property during the storm. Turner said three oaks - possibly at least 100 years old - and two pecan trees fell. (ANDY JOHNSTON/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)
    John Turner, who lives on South Gilmer Street in Lexington, cuts up one of the five trees that fell on his family's property during the storm. Turner said three oaks - possibly at least 100 years old - and two pecan trees fell. (ANDY JOHNSTON/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)
  • Trees blocked Dupree Street at Highway 77 in Lexington. (Submitted photo)
    Trees blocked Dupree Street at Highway 77 in Lexington. (Submitted photo)
  • A tree was uprooted in the front yard of a house in Maxeys. (Submitted photo)
    A tree was uprooted in the front yard of a house in Maxeys. (Submitted photo)

     

    Hurricane Helene hit Northeast Georgia early Friday morning, causing widespread power outages, fallen trees and substantial rainfall in Oglethorpe County.

     

    While the county wasn’t impacted as severely as initially projected, efforts to clean up and move forward are expected to take several weeks.

     

    “My biggest takeaway from the storm was how well our county was able to respond and take care of one another,” Beaverdam Fire Department assistant chief Cody Gibbs said. “Even though all our resources were overwhelmed, we still had people from several disciplines all working together.”

     

    Rayle EMC reported more than 11,000 meters without power in its coverage area at 4:20 p.m. Friday. The northern part of Oglethorpe County was the most affected by power outages, specifically the Highway 22 corridor toward Comer.

     

    An average rainfall of 8.58 inches was reported for the week, with as much as 10.48 inches recorded by Paul Webb in Lexington and 9.28 inches recorded by Michael Moody in Glade.

     

    Josh Robinson, deputy director of Oglethorpe County EMS, said his team answered 156 calls about downed trees from Thursday to Saturday, and he estimated more trees fell than were reported.

     

    One person was injured during debris-clearing efforts. Gov. Brian Kemp reported at least 25 Georgians died in the storm statewide, but Oglethorpe County reported no fatalities.

     

    “Oglethorpe, as compared to our neighbors, (is) remarkably fortunate that the damages weren’t way worse,” EMS Director Jason Lewis said. “Our neighbors to the east of us and certainly those north of us were not as fortunate.”

     

    Lewis said essentially everything has been cleared off roadways across the county, but much debris still remains in the right of way. Oglethorpe County EMS and the Public Works Department are working to formulate a plan to mitigate the debris, but the cleaning effort will happen “for weeks to come,” Lewis said.

     

    Robinson said the majority of county residents who lost power during the storm had power restored by Monday afternoon.

     

    S.W.A.G Ministry and Winterville Cultural Center served as storm shelters for those who needed them. Jay Paul, chairman of the Board of Commissioners, said volunteers were pivotal in assisting public officials throughout the storm and cleanup efforts.

     

    “I appreciate all the volunteers,” Paul said. “(Oglethorpe is) real thankful for them playing a vital role and being of assistance.”

     

    Robinson said the county was given information on how to be reimbursed by FEMA for the storm. The first stages of the reimbursement process will include gathering data about what equipment was used and where debris was gathered from, as well as assessing if any damage was consistent.

     

    Kemp has also submitted an expedited emergency declaration request for Georgia, which he said will help “get money flowing quicker” to the state, and he suspended collection Tuesday of the state sales tax on gasoline and other motor fuels for the duration of the emergency.

     

    Capitol Beat News Service contributed to this article.