Dougherty County, Lee County flood waters receding, caution still advised.

ALBANY — With Flood waters receding on the Flint River as well as the Muckalee and Kinchafoonee creeks those that were not impacted by the high water can begin to guardedly relax.

Lee County Fire Chief David Forrester reported that the Lee County Fire Department preformed  eleven water rescues from homes that were either flooded or surrounded by the rising waters. As of Monday morning, Creekside Drive was the only road in the county that remained closed. He also stated, ” We will be surveying the effected area to determine how many homes were impacted.” Director Williams said, ” In Lee County the major impact was from Cypress Point South and in the North Hampton area. 

Albany Fire Department Assistant Chief Rubin Jordan reported, “We currently have  fifteen properties that are listed as damaged and at one point twenty six roads or intersections were closed.” He also pointed out that many of the road closures were not the result of the rising waterways but from storm drain blockages that were eventually cleared. AFD did not conduct any water rescues but several residents were assisted from their homes. 

The fact that the number of homes and properties damaged was not high, provides little consolation to those with property inundated by the recently cresting waters. They can only wait for the levels to drop to levels that allow safe inspection of the damaged properties.

The optimum word here being safely. In interviews with Albany/ Dougherty County and Lee County Emergency Management officials are the same. ” Assistant Fire Chief Rubin Jordan with the Albany Fire Department advises, “The first thing we want citizens to know as the water recedes is that they need to use caution  when they go back in.”  Both Jordan and Lee County E.M.A. Director Coleman Williams stress the importance of homeowners having properties that were damaged by flood waters inspected by processionals to insure they are structurally sound. Williams also advises, ” If there was more than 18 inches of water in a structure it needs to be inspected by a professional electrician.”Chief Forrester also advises, ” If you have damage be sure to use local licensed contractors and electricians. People that come in following a disaster and say they can do this and that often do not do so.”

Mike Sistrunk, Co County Manager for Lee County said, “We are really luck here in Lee County. Our citizens really understand the effort that the Sheriff’s Department, EMS, Public Works and the Fore Department are making. They have actually taken food and drinks to the crews working around the county. It has been an around the clock effort. E.M.A. director Coleman Williams and Assistant Director Nikkie Celinski have had it covered 24/7. All the employees here need to receive the credit they deserve for this effort.”Sistrunk said that the E.M.A. and Fire Department are working to evaluate the damage and get with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency as soon as possible.