Michael slams southwest Georgia

Published 4:00 pm Thursday, October 11, 2018

ATLANTA – The extent of the statewide damage from Tropical Storm Michael was still coming into focus Thursday, as remnants of the storm finished passing through central and northeast Georgia.

But this much was becoming apparent: The southwest corner of Georgia – Decatur County, in particular – bore the brunt of the storm, which crossed state lines as a Category 3 hurricane. Details remained scarce Thursday, as state officials struggled to even communicate with local officials there.

One fatality has been reported in Georgia. An 11-year-old girl was killed in Seminole County after a tree fell onto her home.

“Thanks goodness, that’s the only one that I’m aware of at the present time,” Gov. Nathan Deal said Thursday morning.

At least 53 poultry houses were destroyed in southwest Georgia. More than 450,000 people were without power statewide. Nearly 130 state routes were closed because of fallen trees and another 120 roads strewn with debris – tallies that are expected to grow. Twenty hospitals and 15 nursing homes were relying on generators for power.

Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black said it is too soon to know the impact to the state’s top industry. He said in some cotton fields it was impossible to tell where farmers stopped harvesting the crop and where the storm ravaged the rest.

“Our worst dreams, I believe, are being realized,” Black said. “It’s a very serious day for agriculture. This is going to have lingering effects on rural parts of our state for some time to come.”

Black said he was having trouble making contact with growers in southwest Georgia – the heart of the state’s agricultural industry. There may be damage to cell towers serving the area.

Deal said the focus is on damage assessment, debris removal and power restoration. The governor urged patience.

“Past experience tells us that one of the greatest impediments to restoring power is people who get in the way of the power trucks and the crews who are working to make that happen,” Deal said. “Do not impede those who are trying to help you. They are working there very hard.”

Jill Nolin covers the Georgia Statehouse for The Valdosta Daily Times, CNHI’s newspapers and websites.