Bulloch County and surrounding areas are waking up to widespread storm damage, with thousands of citizens without power, homes and roads blocked by fallen trees, and debris scattered across properties. The storm, which also left over 1.2 million people in Florida and more than 700,000 in Georgia without power, has caused significant disruption.
Bulloch County EMA Director Corey Kemp is urging residents to check in on neighbors and family members, especially the elderly, as the community begins recovery efforts. At this time no significant injuries have been reported.
Kemp said they have received a significant amount of calls from citizens with tree on or in their homes. He estimates well over 100 trees are down currently, many obstructing roadways and impacting power lines.
In addition there are downed traffic signals in the city and many traffic signals are not working due to power outages. There are numerous roads that are currently impassable. Sheriff Noel Brown is advising residents to remain sheltered this Friday morning until crews can clear the roadways.
Excelsior EMC is currently experiencing widespread outages, with just under 20,000 members out of power—this is about 80% of their system. Please be aware that this number may increase over the course of the day as the storm continues to affect our area.
The damage to their system is severe, and restoration will be a significant effort for their team, as well as those assisting us from other areas. They are working diligently to assess the damage so restoration can be as efficient as possible.
Cick here to view Excelsior EMC's Facebook page. They will be continuing to update this page with the latest information. They are asking for patience and understanding during this challenging time.
Click here for the latest power outage updates.
Overnight, Bulloch County faced sustained tropical storm-force winds exceeding 30 mph, with gusts reaching over 50 mph, coupled with relentless rain. These conditions have caused extensive tree damage across the county.
Click here for the updated weather forecast from the National Weather Service (NWS) in Charleston.
For several hours during the peak of the storm, Public Safety paused operations due to high winds and hazardous road conditions.
Public Works crews from the City of Statesboro and Bulloch County are prepared to begin clearing roads at first light. As of 6:00 a.m., the worst of the storm has passed, and rain is expected to taper off by 8:00 a.m. However, winds may continue throughout the day.
Grice Connect has compiled a resource guide to help residents track power outages and stay informed on other storm-related developments.
Additionally, Bulloch County Public Works has created an interactive map to show road closures. If you need to report downed trees, flooded roads, or other storm-related emergencies, please contact Public Works at 912-764-6369 during business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
Bulloch County Public Works Interactive Map