Dougherty County emergency personnel bracing for Helene’s impact

ALBANY — Cash, cans and charging — as in topping off electronic devices — are among the items that people should tick off on their storm preparation checklists as the region braces for the impact of a major storm system.

On Tuesday evening, Albany Fire Department Chief Cedric Scott, who also serves as the county’s Emergency Management Director, was keeping tabs on what was expected to become Hurricane Helene as it was chugging its way into the Gulf of Mexico and predicted to take a path to hit land in the Florida Big Bend Area. 

As of Wednesday morning, the system had become a tropical storm, with Helene predicted to become a major hurricane.

Like many, the path of Helene reminded Scott of Hurricane Michael, which also came ashore at Mexico Beach, Fla., and arrived in Georgia on Oct. 9, 2019, still retaining hurricane strength, causing heavy damage and leaving residents without power for days.

Another consideration is that at about this stage in Michael’s journey, it was expected to be a Category 2 hurricane at landfall. It strengthened into a devastating Category 5 storm before making land, and there is the chance Helene too could defy early predictions.

As of The Herald’s deadline, Helene was not expected to be as strong, but it will drop significant amounts of rain, and winds could down trees and power lines in the area.

In Albany, the brunt of the storm is expected to strike somewhere around 8 p.m. on Thursday and move out by about 8 a.m. on Friday, Scott said.

“We’ve got a 12-hour window we may find ourselves in,” he said. “We’re going to get some effects of that. (In) Albany and Dougherty County, we’re not predicting hurricane-force winds, which are 74 miles per hour and up.”

Scott said that the wind speed is not the worrying factor; the storm can still bring flooding and power outages from tropical storm winds. Preliminary predictions were for 4 to 6 inches of rainfall over nine hours, and there also could be additional rainfall from outer bands of the system that will increase that total.

He recommended that residents in low-lying areas with a history of flooding make use of sandbags that were to be distributed on Wednesday.

“We always tell people if you’re in a place where you doubt the stability of your home and being safe there (to) find an alternative place to ride out the storm,” he said. “Stay with a relative or find somewhere safe.”

Another recommendation from emergency preparation experts is to have supplies on hand to remain self-sufficient in place for three days.

That includes canned foods that do not have to be cooked, plenty of water for drinking, prescription medications that will be needed and a basic first aid kit. Pets also should be included in the equation.

Residents also should stock up on batteries for flashlights and have a means of getting updates and news such as a battery-powered radio. The chief also warned residents to be careful when using candles to provide lighting and not to leave them unattended.

“Charge your phone, gas up,” Scott said. “I always tell people to have a little cash.”

In the event of a power outage, stores may be unable to accept credit cards, and ATMs will not be working, so cash would be needed to make a purchase.

After the storm, individuals should avoid going out to tour damage while emergency workers and electric workers are doing their jobs, the chief said. Drivers also should avoid driving into standing water on roadways.

“Turn around, don’t drown,” Scott said.

Another consideration for those who do have to be out is that any intersections where traffic lights are out become four-way stop situations, he said.

The Dougherty County Emergency Management Agency set up its virtual emergency operation center on Tuesday, and the center is scheduled to go live and be staffed by personnel at 8 a.m. on Thursday.

“All city departments and county departments are prepared,” Scott said. “Your city and county are prepared for the effects of Helene. What we are talking about is being able to sustain yourself if we do have these power outages.”

Residents can sign up to have alerts sent by text to their phones at https://www.albanyga.gov/about-us/city-departments/albany-fire-department or by calling (229) 431-3262 between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Updates also will be available on the city of Albany and Dougherty County Facebook pages.

File PhotoHerald File Photo