HURRICANE MICHAEL POST-STORM UPDATE: SATURDAY, 10/13

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The following is an update of available information related to our community’s recovery from Hurricane Michael:

Safety Information

  • Thomas County Emergency Management reports there were near fatalities associated with generator use in Thomas County. We urge all citizens to observe the safety precautions of the American Red Cross that we have shared on our Facebook page.
  • Thomasville Fire Rescue reports that there is no burning permitted in Thomas County according to the Georgia Forestry Commission. For more information, please call TFR at 227-4099.
  • Cleanup will continue by Public Works and Utility crews throughout the weekend. Their goal is to clear utility lines to assist with restoration efforts. Please use caution when you encounter work crews.
  • Should you encounter barricades across streets or roadways, please do not enter. These barricades are in place due to down power lines. Do not move or drive around the barricades, as they are in place for public safety.
  • Please continue to treat all non-working traffic signals as a four-way stop.
  • For those out surveying damage, please be mindful of the traveling public. Do not impede the flow of traffic and restoration crews by taking photos and videos.

Outage Information

  • Our goal is to restore all of our customers as quickly and as safely as possible. For the majority of our customers, we expect to have service restored today or tomorrow. Isolated outages will be restored next week.
  • We offer the following estimates for full restoration in some of our largest outage areas. Please note that this is an estimate only and crews may encounter further damage during repairs that could delay the return of service:
    • Medical area (Gordon, South Broad, Mimosa) – October 13th – 14th
    • McIntyre Park/Clay/Vashti area – October 13th – 14th
    • Chatham Dr./Glenwood/Bluebird area - October 13th – 14th
    • Carroll Hill/Old Albany area – October 13th – 14th
    • 319 South area – October 13th – 14th
    • Metcalfe Rd. area – October 13th – 14th
    • Remington Ave./Orchard Lane area – October 13th – 14th
    • East Jackson St./Love/Warren area – October 13th – 14th
    • West side of town (Stewart Road, 84 West, GA 3, Pine Park) - pending timeline, estimated next week.
  • If your service lines from the pole to your home are down, this is an issue you must address with an electrician before your services can be restored.
  • At the beginning of the storm, our system reported 14,000 or 90% of our electric customers were without power. This number is now down to less than 8,000, or about 44% restored.
  • Mutual aid crews continue to assist our community, and we expect more crews to arrive to assist with our restoration efforts. We currently have 35 mutual aid utility workers assigned to our area.
  • Priority areas for today’s efforts continue to be the medical community, as we have several nursing homes and the oncology center without power. We anticipate this area being back online later today.
  • Should you receive a response from Tville TextAlert stating that your power has been restored when it is still out of service, please report your outage again at 227-5499 so that we are aware you are without service.
  • Outages should only be reported by calling 227-5499 or through Tville TextAlert. Please do not report your outage through our website or through our Facebook page. We can better track outages by using our outage hotline.
  • When calling in outages, please report as much information as possible. It will help our crews to know if there are lines down, broken poles or trees that are down before responding.
  • City of Thomasville staff is unable to provide an update to customers on their individual outage or estimate a time frame for restoration. This applies to both online, telephone or in person inquiries.
  • If you or someone in your home requires an uninterrupted power supply, please understand that we cannot respond to your individual outage. You will need to take the steps necessary to relocate to an area that will provide you with the power supply needed for your condition.

Solid Waste Information

  • Solid Waste residential collection schedules have been altered due to Hurricane Michael. Updated schedules are available on our website, Thomasville.org.
  • Please use caution when you encounter Solid Waste trash trucks, dump trucks and other equipment, as their visibility is limited and roadways are crowded with debris.
  • Yard debris pickup has begun and will continue throughout the weekend. Debris cannot be longer than 6 feet in length. Please do not mix construction materials, household waste, or appliances with vegetation. Do not block sewer drains or place debris into roadways if all is possible. Do not pile debris under any overhead obstruction or near property that can be damaged (wires, low hanging limbs, mailboxes, pipes, etc.).

Other Information

  • GEMA will be distributing 5 lbs. bags of ice at Thomas County Central High School, located on the US 84 Bypass. There is a limit of three bags per household. Distribution will begin at 11 am and continue until all bags are distributed.
  • The Salvation Army is supporting the American Red Cross shelter at New Covenant Church. If you wish to contribute monetary donations or donations of food and water to their efforts, please contact the Salvation Army.
  • The Thomasville YMCA has opened their shower facilities during regular operating hours today. They will also be open 2 pm – 4 pm Sunday.

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