City of Savannah, GA
09/29/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/29/2024 11:21
Hurricane Helene News Release #6
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 29, 2024
CONTACT:
Office of Communications
Hurricane Helene News Release #6
Refuse collection adjustments; Comfort center to open
SAVANNAH - The City of Savannah continues to experience severe impacts from Hurricane Helene including major debris and widespread power outages.
The City's essential emergency services including public safety, water and sewer, stormwater, park and tree, and traffic engineering continue to respond at full capacity.
The City's Sanitation Department will suspend all recycling services until further notice starting on Monday, Sept. 30. Recycling carts can be used for garbage overflow and left with garbage carts curbside at the normal point-of-collection to be picked up on collection routes this week. Residential refuse collection will proceed as normal. Residents are encouraged to hold recyclables until regular collections resume or use single stream drop-off facilities.
The City has secured a contractor for debris removal operations which will begin the week of Sept. 30. More information on debris collection will be made available over the next few days. Due to the large volume of debris, removal operations are expected to continue over the next few weeks. Residents who wish to dispose of debris themselves may bring it to the convenience stations at Dean Forest Road Landfill or Bacon Park Convenience Center which are operating on regular hours.
The City will open the Tompkins Regional Center (2333 Ogeechee Rd.) on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. as a temporary comfort/charging center for residents. Daffin Park Pool will also be open from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) will open the following locations as charging/cooling centers on Sunday: The Empowerment Center (4704 Augusta Road) 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Compassion Christian Church (50 Al Henderson Blvd.) 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.; Mighty 8th Air Museum (175 Bourne Ave.) 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.; Life Bridge Ministry (8511 Waters Ave.) 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.; Kingdom Life Christian Fellowship (425 W. Montgomery Cross Rd.) 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.; Tybee Island YMCA (204 Fifth St.) 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
In addition, CEMA will be hosting Drive Thru Ice Distribution Centers at Memorial Stadium and L. Scott Stell Park from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Sunday.
There are an estimated 82,000 power outages remaining affecting 51% of the community. Georgia Power released estimated restoration times on Saturday. Residents are encouraged to consult outagemap.georgiapower.com for more information.
The City is partnering with Georgia Power to assist in sharing information about power restoration. Georgia Power is our public utility power supplier. The City has no direct responsibility for power restoration.
City crews completed assessment of damage in all neighborhoods on Saturday and will be compiling a data report on Sunday.
Sunday morning assessments noted 30 roads remain closed in the City. While some traffic signals have been restored, 104 of the 280 City-operated traffic signals are without power. That number does not include County or GDOT operated signals. Four City signals are in flash mode and four are operating under generator power. City crews are working to restore all signals to full operation.
Drivers are reminded that all non-operating stoplights should be treated as an all-way stop. When driving, residents are encouraged to exercise extreme caution, be patient, and stay alert.
Service requests can still be submitted to 311 online at savannahga.gov/311request or via the SAV311 mobile app.
Residents are reminded that when using a generator for power: first read the manual and understand how the machine operates; refuel the machine safely; only use generators outside, monitor carbon monoxide output; never leave a generator running unattended; and keep the generator away from doors and windows.
Water Resources reports no major issues with the City's drinking water supply system. The sewage system continues to operate under a mix of generator power and grid power. No major issues have been reported.
For updates specific to the City of Savannah, residents are encouraged to follow @cityofsavannah on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter and visit savannahga.gov/stormhelene.
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