DNR personnel assist in storm cleanup efforts

ALBANY — Some stories are better told late than never, and I believe this one needs telling.

For those who constantly sit around the campfire and rant about “Mr. Green Jeans” and how they never do anything but give tickets, you would be surprised to learn about a few other things they have recently been doing.

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Georgia Department of Natural Resources personnel have been spread out across southeast and northeast Georgia providing public safety and clearing local and state roadways of debris, making them passable, as well as removing debris from roads on state parks and other properties. DNR’s field crews included strike teams (equipped with chainsaws) and task force teams (equipped with chainsaws, skid steers, backhoes and other heavy equipment).

Under Gov. Brian Kemp’s leadership, DNR began mobilizing for Helene on Sept. 25. DNR staffed multiple employees at the State Operations Center in Atlanta to ensure coordination of the response by state, local and federal agencies. Internally, DNR established two Incident Command Centers, one at Social Circle to service the north Georgia response and a second in Metter to service the response in south Georgia.

Following Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact on the state, DNR crews immediately mobilized and deployed to storm-affected areas. At daybreak on Sept. 27, teams began clearing roads and ensuring citizen safety, concentrating on the most affected areas between Valdosta and Augusta.

Once county requests were addressed, DNR personnel shifted the focus of their efforts to opening access and removing hazardous trees in state parks, wildlife management and public fishing areas. The agency also provided other support (accessing stranded people, security, food/water distribution and other critical actions) as requested by county Emergency Management Agencies.

During Hurricane Helene, DNR also housed more than 200 evacuees at Georgia State Parks, and less than two weeks later, they welcomed more than 2,000 Floridians as they evacuated for Hurricane Milton. Clearing debris from state parks proved to be critical as Milton made its way toward Florida.

By Oct. 10, DNR’s effort in response to Helene involved about 350 employees working a total of more than 18,400 hours (including almost 3,000 chainsaw hours and 7,500 hours with tractors, backhoes and other equipment). DNR responded to requests for assistance in more than 20 counties. Teams are still in the field and as emergency responses are concluded, DNR will shift its focus to repairing damaged parks and facilities.

During this effort, it is important to acknowledge that DNR staff were not immune to the impact of these storms. Many employees lost power and suffered damage to their personal property. However, many of them left their homes to assist with the recovery efforts, serving their communities and the state of Georgia.

Special Photo: Georgia DNRSpecial Photo: Georgia DNR