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Valdosta residents waiting for Hurricane Helene to reach them

By and
Updated  September 26, 2024 4:33pm EDT
Georgia
FOX 5 Atlanta

Helene Helene supplies flying off shelves in Valdosta

Residents in south Georgia spent Thursday making their final preparations for Hurricane Helene. Supply stores saw a steady stream of customers buying everything from gas cans to batteries to bottled water.

In brief:

    • Hurricane Helene is expected to hit south Georgia with strong wind gusts and heavy rain, and emergency management is actively monitoring the situation.
    • Despite light rainfall this morning, meteorologists anticipate that high winds will strike Valdosta, GA, tonight, with the potential for downing trees and power lines.
    • This is the third storm in just over a year for Valdosta; previous storms, including Hurricane Dalia and Tropical Storm Debby, caused extensive power outages and damage.
    • Residents are stocking up on emergency supplies like batteries, flashlights, and gas cans, though generators have sold out after the sale of about 100 units in anticipation of possible extended power outages.
    • Local businesses are closing and preparing for flooding while local shelters and power crews are getting ready to provide assistance post-storm.

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Residents across south Georgia are preparing for Hurricane Helene, which is expected to bring strong wind gusts and heavy rain later this evening. Emergency management officials from Valdosta to Atlanta are monitoring the situation closely as communities brace for the storm’s arrival.

Rainfall has subsided for now in the Valdosta area, but meteorologists predict high winds will hit the area later tonight, potentially toppling trees and power lines. Kim Loeffler, reporting live from Valdosta, said the region has experienced light rain on and off throughout the morning, but officials warn the most significant impact is yet to come.

This will be the third storm to strike Valdosta in just over a year. In August, Hurricane Dalia, a Category 2 storm, left 90% of Lowndes County without power for days. More recently, Tropical Storm Debby caused additional outages and damage in the area.

RELATED: The latest on Helene | Closings/cancelations

Emergency officials have urged residents to stock up on supplies and prepare for potential power outages lasting up to 72 hours. Residents responded quickly, with supplies flying off store shelves.

"We’ve been hit hard by storms lately, but we always come together," said one resident. "We look out for each other and help rebuild after every storm."

Valdosta preparing for Hurricane Helene

All was calm in Valdosta, Georgia, at around noon on Thursday, but the city is waiting to be slammed by Hurricane Helene.

Like many in Valdosta, Jack Martin is taking no chances with Hurricane Helene after storms past. 

"Idalia was pretty strong when it came through Valdosta last year, we had a lot of damage. A lot of trees down. And so, I'm just kind of preparing for the same thing," Martin said. 

Miller Hardware in downtown Valdosta was the place to be Thursday as locals got some last-minute supplies. The phone was ringing off the hook with people wanting to know if they’re open so they can get the necessities. 

"Batteries, lanterns, flashlights, gas cans, mixed fuels of different nature for generator preps," said Cliff Burton, general manager of Miller Hardware. 

While many things are still in stock, the store ran out of generators on Thursday morning. Over the last few days, they sold about 100. Last August, hurricane Idalia left 90% of the area without power for days. 

"We kind of got blindsided by Idalia last year. So, folks are taking this storm a lot more serious," said Burton. 

In downtown Valdosta, many businesses closed ahead of the storm. Some used sandbags to prepare for possible flooding. Many used the calm before the storm to make preps to stay safe before conditions get worse. 

"We just moved here to the area, so kind of concerned because I don’t know what the hurricane is going to bring," said Frankie Short, who just moved to the area. 

"Everybody's pretty much taking the same the same course of action. We just batten down the hatches and getting ready for the storm," said Martin. 

Local shelters, including Park Avenue Church, Corinth Baptist Church, and Valdosta State University, will open later this afternoon to offer refuge for those affected. Meanwhile, power crews are already stationed in Valdosta, ready to respond once the storm clears.

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FOX 5 will continue to provide live updates as Tropical Storm Helene moves through the region.