Bulloch County Volunteer Organization in Action (VOAD) members worked this week to be ready to help residents who find themselves in need during Hurricane Dorian.
The effects of Dorian showed up in Bulloch County early Wednesday afternoon, but conditions grew worse overnight as the Category 2 storm skimmed the Georgia and South Carolina coast.
According to Bulloch County Public Safety Director Ted Wynn, Dorian grew in size and in forward speed overnight Tuesday, reaching 8 mph in a northwesterly direction, with wind speeds exceeding 105 mph. The storm’s reach grew from affecting areas within 150 miles from the coast to 175 miles, prompting Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp to add eight more inland counties to the list of those he declared in a state of emergency, which include Evans, Bulloch and Screven counties. The storm’s expected shift to the northeast had not yet occurred, he said.
County offices, colleges, universities and public schools closed Wednesday and Thursday, with Georgia Southern University being closed Friday as well.
As VOAD members worked Wednesday in the Bulloch County Emergency Operations Center, local shelters filled quickly. Wynn announced openings for one shelter inside the Statesboro city limits, but it could only house 50. The shelter was for residents who did not feel safe in their own homes, and as of late Wednesday afternoon the inquiries had begun, he said.
“We ... experienced rain here already and expect the most severe wind to continue to increase through 9 a.m. in the morning,” he said Wednesday.
Residents of Bulloch County were given a curfew Wednesday afternoon, restricting travel from midnight Wednesday to “daylight” Thursday, said Bulloch County sheriff’s Capt. Todd Hitchens. Sheriff Noel Brown “strongly advises” residents to stay in their homes or shelters and off the roads for safety’s sake. That also makes it easier for emergency personnel to reach their destinations, he said.
Pittman Park church opened a high-risk shelter to accommodate approximately 40 evacuees from Brunswick. They were full Wednesday.
Willow Pond Assisted Living housed 40 residents from a sister facility.
There are organizations and volunteers ready to help in the storm’s aftermath as well, Wynn said.
“Mormon Helping Hands and Chris Yaughn have cleanup teams ready to help with cleanup. We will be pushing out the Crisis Cleanup number, 1-844-965-1386, to manage these requests and dispatch appropriate help,” he said.
Also, “East Georgia Health Center based out of Swainsboro has offered to dispatch their mobile medical RV with a medical team to us if needed,” he said. “Christian Social Ministries picked up a significant food donation from Crider Foods yesterday. (Pastor John Long) assembled volunteers to bag a good bit of the food in case we have some immediate food requests.
“There will also be mobile kitchens ready and Statesboro First United Methodist Church kitchen on standby in case of a widespread power outage,” he said. Also, “Feed the Boro has been with Bi-Lo to help meet some specific requests.”
Herald reporter Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912) 489-9414.