On Monday evening, August 5, 2024, Tropical Storm Debby brought strong winds and heavy rain to Bulloch County, leading to a serious accident on Cypress Lake Road at Courtney Way. At 6:38 PM, Bulloch County 911 dispatched emergency services, including Bulloch County EMS, Statesboro Fire, Bulloch County Sheriff's Deputies, and Georgia State Patrol (GSP) Troopers, to respond to a single-vehicle crash caused by a fallen tree.
The tree, uprooted by the storm, had collapsed onto a vehicle, trapping the driver inside. Firefighters and paramedics worked tirelessly for over an hour to extricate the driver, a challenging task further complicated by power lines pulled down by the fallen tree. Linemen from Excelsior EMC were called to the scene to safely remove the power from the lines before the extrication could proceed.
The driver, whose identity has not been released, was eventually freed and transported to East Georgia Regional Medical Center (EGRMC) in serious condition. During the rescue operation, Sheriff's Deputies closed Cypress Lake Road for several hours to ensure the safety of all involved. GSP Trooper Tyler Pettee is currently investigating the crash.
As a result of the incident, power remains out in the area was out for over three hours.
The Bulloch County Sheriff's Office and Public Works are currently overwhelmed with reports of downed trees and flooding on roads throughout the county. While residents have requested a list of road closures, the situation remains too dynamic to provide accurate updates.
Authorities are urging all residents to shelter in place until Tropical Storm Debby passes. Travel should be limited to emergencies only as conditions remain hazardous.
Stay tuned to Grice Connect for further updates on the storm and its impact on our community.
