Thursday Rain Leaves Area Underwater
Over 9 inches of rain fell within 24 hours in Toombs and Montgomery Counties on Thursday, November 7, leaving many roads underwater and citizens trapped in their homes.
In Toombs County, first responders worked to rescue several citizens from the widespread floodwaters, including an entire subdivision of Vidalia residents near Cadillac Drive. Police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and others worked together with boats to make sure that everyone made it out of their homes safe and accounted for amidst the drastic situation.
Vidalia Fire Chief Brian Sikes commented on the event, saying, “I wanted to personally thank all the people involved Thursday with the rescuing of Citizens from Flood Waters in the Cadillac Drive Subdivision. It’s great to live in a community where so many people are willing to help in a time of need. So, thank you to the members of Vidalia Fire Department, Vidalia Police Department, Toombs County Emergency Management Agency, Toombs Montgomery EMS, Lyons Fire Department, Toombs County Fire Department, Cedar Crossing Fire Department Dive Team. Also thank you to all the ones continued from page
who brought boats to help in the efforts.”
One citizen recounted her experience attempting to escape the neighborhood, as she emphasizes her excitement to see several of the Vidalia Police Department’s female officers rushing to help. “After I saved my cats and went chest deep to do so, and finally got myself back out knowing that no one else would make it to where I just came from, here came these women — on foot running behind fire trucks and a line of rescue vehicles!” the resident exclaimed. “They had to park up hill so their units didn’t get washed away. They missed no steps and showed no hesitation. They ran into the floods on Cadillac Drive. I could write a book about my love for [Lieutenant] Shannon Martin, [Sergeant] Kelsey Coursey, and [Officer] Barbara Jean Deen, but it wouldn’t be enough! Thank you officers! Mothers. Women. Warriors. Heroes.”
Because of the work of these women and first responders, everyone was accounted for after the rescue, as Vidalia City Manager reported, “Everyone is evacuated that needed to be. Everyone is accounted for. No fatalities, no missing persons.”
During the November 11 meeting of the Vidalia City Council, Mayor Doug Roper reported that 9 inches of rain had been recorded on Thursday at the Vidalia Regional Airport. Roper and the Council declared a state of emergency for the city regarding the flood to help ensure that Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding would reimburse the municipality for costs related to the natural disaster.
Meanwhile, in Montgomery County, Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Donnie Daniels said that between 9 and 12 inches of rain were recorded within the county, with the most rainfall occurring between the center and northern areas of the county, near Tarrytown.
This excessive rainfall caused several of the county’s dirt roads to become washed out and covered many of the paved roads, making the county hazardous for citizens to travel, especially at night. Because of this, Daniels issued a curfew on behalf of the county, which outlawed travel within the county from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. from November 7-9.
The County is still working to repair many roads, leaving several routes still closed. These closed roads include *Morris Road-Between Eddie Clyde Road and Sawmill Road (Eddie Clyde Rd is fixed and passable); Old Kibbee Road Road South at Braddy Road; Old Bethel from Hwy 227 to Goodowns Road; Almond Station Road; South Railroad Avenue below Horne Apartments; North Railroad Avenue at Wooten St.; Mark Burns Road; Cedar Grove Road; Jake McCaw Road; Ferguson Road on Hwy 227 end; Newsome Road; Bob Sharpe Road; Water Tank Road; Outler Road-on Mount Vernon Alston Road Side; and RT Lane.
“We had a few road closures that were temporary and then reopened, but we are continuing to work on several roads within the county. Make sure that you are still being cautious when traveling; even though the rain is gone, damage may still be there,” Daniels concluded.
The Wheeler County High School SkillsUSA won 1st place at the Macon Skills Challenge, with over 17 schools and 150 students. Kyler Stinson got 1st in Electrical, Carson Ford got 2nd in Electrical, Maryee Grace Selph got 2nd in Blueprint Reading, Arturo Gonzalez got 1st in Masonry, and Adam Garcia got 3rd in Masonry.
Wheeler County High School Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) students (L to R) Kaylee Rojas, Allison Haymons, and Alexis Ricks attended Region 8 FCCLA Rally on Friday, November 1, at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton. Students and advisers from across the region participated in a guided campus tour and attended leadership sessions. They were served lunch at Donaldson Dining Hall.
RUSHING WATER – Dirt roads in Montgomery County were overcome by water, leaving many washed out and dangerous to travel. (Shown) Water rushes across Newsome Road.Photo by Makaylee Randolph
GIVING THANKS — To kick off the start of November, Miss Molle’s class at Wheeler County Elementary School completed their first Thanksgiving themed activity. Students created turkeys that listed what they were thankful for. They had to come up with six different people or things they wanted to include. Each ‘I am thankful for’ statement was written on one of the turkey’s feathers. Some of the students’ statements were, ‘my family,’ ‘my friends,’ ‘my teacher,’ ‘my lights,’ and ‘my life.’ Each student got to share their statements with the entire class and discuss why they were thankful for that person or thing. (L to R): Back row: Averie Anderson, Mason Calhoun, Jayden Wilcox, CJ Tobler, Ace Phillips, Miracle Bryant, Madilyn Burnsed, Front row: Addaline Phillips, Rai’elle O’Neal, Heir-In Harden, Cameron Vickery, Carter Dixon, Royalty Southerland, and Ava Gregory.
