City of Savannah, GA
09/28/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/28/2024 11:45
Hurricane Helene News Release #5
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______________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 28, 2024
CONTACT:
Office of Communications
Hurricane Helene News Release #5
Major debris cleanup underway; Power outages affecting traffic signals
SAVANNAH - The City of Savannah continues to experience severe impacts from Hurricane Helene including major debris, impassable roads, and power outages. Essential emergency services including public safety, water and sewer, stormwater, park and tree, and traffic engineering will respond at full capacity through the weekend.
The City's Sanitation Department continues to operate regular yard waste pickup services and are beginning debris removal operations. Due to the large volume of debris, removal operations are expected to continue through the weekend into next week. Residents who wish to dispose of debris themselves may bring it to the convenience stations at Dean Forest Landfill or Bacon Park Transfer Station which are operating on regular hours.
City crews completed assessment of damage in 41 neighborhoods yesterday and plan to assess damage in an additional 60 neighborhoods today.
There are an estimated 94,460 power outages remaining affecting 59% of the community. The City is working directly with Georgia Power to remove downed trees, limbs, and debris from public right of ways and restore power as soon as possible. If a downed power line is encountered, do not approach it. Call 911 to report it or contact Georgia Power at 1-888-891-0938 to file a report. To check the status of your area's power outage, visit outagemap.georgiapower.com.
Saturday morning assessments noted 32 blocked, impassible or traffic impacted roads in the City. While some traffic signals have been restored, 130 of the 280 City-operated traffic signals are without power as of Saturday morning. 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.
The City will open the Tompkins Regional Center (2333 Ogeechee Rd.) on Saturday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. as a temporary comfort/charging center for residents. Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) will open the Tybee Island YMCA (204 54th St.) on Saturday until 7 p.m., The Empowerment Center (4704 Augusta Road) until 7 p.m., and Compassion Christian Church (50 Al Henderson Blvd.) as a cooling/charging stations.
Savannah Police Department received 898 calls for service on Sept. 27, Savannah Fire Department received 476 calls and the 311 Action Center received 275 calls.
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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