Many Ware County citizens are still without power almost two weeks after Hurricane Helene brought major destruction to the area.
Ware County Fire Chief Dee Meadows said he is unsure of the amount of homes still without electricity, but said he believes that most Georgia Power customers have been restored throughout the county.
“There’s Okefenoke (REMC), Satilla (REMC) and Georgia Power in Ware County,” Meadows stated. “I would say a good bit of Georgia Power is restored, but I’m not sure about Satilla. I know they were getting some stuff back online.”
Ware County EMA Director Jonathan Daniell is out of the office due to a health issue. Meadows was unable to give specific details on the storm.
Meadows mentioned it could be a few weeks before power is totally restored throughout the entire county. He also said if there is any rain during the next few weeks it could delay the restoration time even further.
Meadows was unsure if there had been any tornadoes in Ware County. “I’m not sure if we had a tornado or if one has been confirmed. I haven’t heard anything officially, but I don’t get the weather briefing.”
Most of the highways and dirt roads in the county are open or least accessible, according to Meadows, who gave thanks to Larry Thrift and the Ware County Public Works Department along with Georgia Forestry.
“The majority of the roads are open or let me say most of the roads are at least to where you can get a vehicle in and out,” Meadows stated. “They’re still out there clearing up the roads in a more detailed way, but most roads do have a way in and a way out.”
Meadows mentioned with the help of Public Works and Georgia Forestry first responders can get in to everyone in the county if they’re needed.
Meadows said the Ware County Fire Department has been a huge help in getting trees off the roads.
“We’ve removed several trees from the roadways and we’ve helped clear roads,” he stated. “We’re still running chainsaw crews every day.”
Meadows said the department has worked tirelessly and has gone above and beyond, even sacrificing their personal issues, to help the community.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the way Ware County has come out and responded to this,’ the chief said. “It’s all the surrounding departments, like Public Works. It’s taken a complete team effort to get this thing where it’s a lot easier to deal with.
“Emergency Medical Servies (EMS), the Sheriff s Department, they have all been phenomenal, I couldn’t ask for a better group of people working with us.”
