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Weather Event | Helene – Updates & Resources

10/18/2024 9:53 – DEBRIS PICKUP NEARING COMPLETION: Our final pass for storm debris collection has begun and we ask that all residents and businesses have their debris placed within the right-of-way by Sunday, October 20. If you have any questions, please contact the Department of Public Works at (912) 330-8650 during regular business hours.

10/4/2024 21:18 – DEBRIS PICKUP & DROP-OFF UPDATE #3: Both AshBritt and Atlantic Waste will be continuing our storm debris pickup.  Follow these guidelines to ensure your debris is packaged properly:

  • Atlantic Waste will pick up debris piles (twigs, branches, etc.) smaller than 3’x3’x3′ and paper yard waste bags of loose debris (leaves, grass clippings, pine straw, etc.)
  • AshBritt will retrieve debris piles (branches, limbs, trunks, etc.) larger than 3’x3’x3′.
  • Storm debris must be appropriately piled or bagged to be picked up, and should not be mixed with other types of trash or waste. For loose vegetative debris, only biodegradable paper bags are acceptable. Plastic trash bags will not be picked up.
  • Storm debris shall be placed in the public right-of-way, which is the area that extends from the street to the sidewalk, ditch, utility
    pole, or easement. Ensure that piles and bags do not block roads, driveways, sidewalks, mailboxes, utilities, hydrants, or storm drains.

Please note that debris removal is an ongoing process and trucks may make multiple passes over the coming weeks. If you have any questions, please contact the Department of Public Works at (912) 330-8650 during regular business hours. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.

09/30/2024 10:47 – DEBRIS PICKUP & DROP-OFF UPDATE #2: Storm debris pickup has begun! Please place all debris curbside within the right-of-way as soon as possible. Ensure that piles do not block roads, driveways, sidewalks, mailboxes, hydrants, or storm drains. Additionally, storm debris should not be mixed with other types of trash or waste. Please note that this is an ongoing process, so it may take several days for our team to reach your home or business and we appreciate your patience.

For residents and businesses wishing to manage their vegetative debris independently, a drop-off station for is available next to Station 1 at 985 South Rogers Street. If you have any questions, please contact the Department of Public Works at (912) 330-8650 during regular business hours.

09/29/2024 – NO BOIL ADVISORY FOR MUNICIPAL WATER: We want to reassure our residents that there is currently no boil water advisory in effect for those on municipal water service provided by the City of Pooler. Our water system is 100% operational and has maintained power throughout. Again, your water remains safe for consumption, and we thank you for your continued trust in our services.

It appears that some confusion may have arisen following a social media post by Water Utility Management (WMU) for Chatham County. WMU is not the servicer for City of Pooler Municipal Water. If you or someone you know is a WMU customer, check their site for advisories.

09/29/2024 – DEBRIS PICKUP & DROP-OFF UPDATE #1: In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, we want to inform residents and businesses about the upcoming debris pickup and drop-off options available.

Yard Debris Pickup
Our Public Works team will be collecting vegetative debris only (branches, limbs, leaves, twigs, etc.) from public road rights-of-way beginning Monday, September 30. Place debris at the curb by Sunday evening, ensuring that it does not block roads, driveways, sidewalks, mailboxes, hydrants, or storm drains. Please note that we can only collect debris related to this storm and will not remove debris from private roads and rights-of-way.

Yard Debris Drop-Off
For residents and businesses who prefer to manage their debris independently, a drop-off station will be available beginning Monday, September 30 at 8:00 a.m. in the recycling yard located at 985 South Rogers Street. Please ensure that only vegetative debris is taken to this location.

We appreciate your cooperation as we work together to recover from the storm. Questions? Contact the Department of Public Works at (912) 748-4800 during regular business hours.

9/28/2024 13:29 – GEORGIA POWER MISINFORMATION ALERT: Georgia Power has become aware of false information circulating online regarding restoration times. Please rely on official Georgia Power channels only for accurate updates. You can find the latest restoration estimates here.

The Georgia Power team is working diligently to restore power safely and as quickly as possible. As of right now, estimated restoration times may not be available for all affected communities. Please continue to check our outage map for the most up-to-date information regarding your area. Outages can be reported here. If there is a dangerous condition, including downed power lines, please call 1-888-891-0938.

9/28/2024 13:16 – COOLING/CHARGING STATIONS: CEMA has released a list of mobile food pantries, cooling, and charging stations.

  • Food/Ice/Water
    Hurricane Helene Drive Thru Mobile Food Pantry at Memorial Stadium from 2-4:00 p.m.
    Ice, food boxes, water
    Enter off of Skidaway Road onto Eisenberg Drive by the Alee Temple to get in line
  • Charging/Cooling
    – The Empower Center: 4704 Augusta Avenue, Garden City until 7:00 p.m.
    – Compassion Christian Church: 50 Al Henderson, Savannah from 12:00-5:00 p.m.
    – Tompkins Regional Center – 2333 Ogeechee Road, Savannah from 4:00-7:00 p.m.
    – Mighty 8th Air Museum – 175 Bourne Ave, Savannah from from 4:00-7:00 p.m.
    – Life Bridge Ministry – 8511 Waters Ave, Savannah from 4:00-7:00 p.m.
    – Kingdom Life Christian Fellowship – 425 W. Montgomery Cross Road, Savannah from 4:00-7:00 p.m.
    – Tybee Island YMCA – 204 Fifth Street, Tybee Island until 7:00 p.m. (showers available)

9/27/2024 15:01 – TRAFFIC SIGNAL OUTAGES AT FOUR-WAY INTERSECTIONS: Please be advised that several traffic lights are out along Pooler Parkway and Highway 80, creating significant congestion. When a traffic light is out at a four-way intersection, drivers should communicate with each other using turn signals to indicate their intentions. This helps others understand what drivers plan to do and how they may maneuver through the intersection. Additionally, please remember to treat this situation as a four-way stop: all drivers must come to a complete stop and yield the right of way to the vehicle that arrived first. Finally, please be patient to avoid an accident, which will only further exacerbate the congestion.

Traffic signal outages and issues may be reported by calling 511. Help us keep our community safe in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Thank you for your cooperation!

9/27/2024 14:04 – ATLANTIC WASTE HALTS SERVICE: For the safety of teir employees, Atlantic Waste has halted service for today and will complete their routes Saturday, September 28.

9/27/2024 14:00 – STORM CLEANUP & DEBRIS COLLECTION: Cleanup continues following the recent storm, and the city is here to help you. Starting Monday, September 30, the Department of Public Works will begin collecting vegetative storm debris from public rights-of-way. Keep in mind the following:

  • For the upcoming collection, place storm debris at the curb by Sunday night. Only vegetative debris will be collected.
  • Ensure that storm debris does not block roads, driveways, sidewalks, mailboxes, hydrants, or storm drains.
  • Please note that we can only collect debris related to this Helene and will not remove debris from private roads and rights-of-way. For questions about debris pickup on private property, contact your property manager or homeowners association.
  • All hazardous trees and branches have been removed and roads are now open (with the exception of Chestnut/Collins and Chesnut/Newton, for which we are awaiting Georgia Power’s arrival). Public Works has already cut and is in the process of removing fallen trees. If you see a tree cut and left roadside, there is no need to contact us; it will be collected within 5-7 days.

Thank you for your cooperation as we work together to keep our community looking its best!

9/27/2024 7:48 – STORM DAMAGE & POWER OUTAGES: Power is currently out on Pooler Parkway from Pine Barren to I-16, in addition to other areas throughout the city. Pooler Police, Fire-Rescue, and Public Works teams will be assessing damage and removing debris from the roadways once it is safe to do so. We encourage residents to stay indoors, if feasible. If you must travel, treat traffic signals with no power as a four-way stop.

  • Police Department, Non-Emergency Dispatch: (912) 652-6500
  • Water Department, After-Hours: (912) 414-4369
  • Sewer Department, After-Hours: (912) 421-2032

9/26/2024 19:05 – HELENE REACHES CAT. 4 STATUS: Helene is currently 300 miles from Pooler. Potential impacts to our area include isolated tornadoes, heavy rainfall of 2″-4″ or greater, and gusty winds. We remain under Federal, State, and County States of Emergency. Under the current Tropical Storm Warning and Tornado Watch, citizens should:

  • Identify and review plans for sheltering during a tornado
  • Have emergency kits stocked and ready
  • Keep cell phones and similar devices charged
  • Maintain access to up-to-date insurance information/documentation

9/26/2024 16:47 – CITY HALL CLOSURE: Due to the threat of severe weather conditions, Pooler City Hall will be closed Friday, September 27. Pending any unforeseen weather or safety issues, we anticipate resuming normal business hours Monday, September 30. Recreation activities have also been suspended until Monday; free play on fields and outdoor courts will resume tomorrow. Critical Public Works and Public Safety personnel will remain on site and available. Atlantic Waste will provide service tomorrow. Please note that there will be a delayed start time, but pickup will occur.

9/26/2024 16:34 – WEATHER ALERTS REMINDER: Citizens should ensure they have a way to receive severe weather alerts: Sign up for CEMA Alerts at ChathamEmergency.org or text 77295. Be reminded that Chatham County remains under a Tropical Storm Warning with a Tornado Watch in effect until 9:00 p.m. this evening. According to CEMA, anticipated overnight wind speeds have increased:

Tonight 8:00 p.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Sustained – 33 mph / Gusts – 62 mph

Tomorrow 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sustained – 25 mph / Gusts – 43 mph

Tomorrow Evening 8:00 p.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Sustained – 8 mph / Gusts – 14 mph

9/25/2024 14:20 – COUNTY OFFERS SANDBAGS: Sand and bags are available across the street from the Chatham County Aquatic Center on Sallie Mood Drive during daylight hours. Residents must provide their own shovel; no pre-filled bags are available.

9/25/2024 11:30 – HELENE UPGRADED TO CAT. 1 HURRICANE: Helene is strengthening as it moves toward the U.S. Gulf Coast, becoming a Category 1 today before noon. As Helene tracks inland, effects will be felt across southeast Georgia, including Chatham County, which is now under a Tropical Storm Watch. Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) reminds residents to focus on the expected impacts—not the exact track of the storm—as this is a very large system. Review your personal emergency plans and ensure emergency kits are stocked. Sign up for CEMA Alerts at ChathamEmergency.org or text 77295 to receive up-to-date information as it becomes available.

9/25/2024 17:13 – GOVERNOR DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY: Gov. Brian Kemp declares a State of Emergency as the state prepares for the impacts of the hurricane (current tropical storm) expected to affect most of Georgia on Thursday, September 26.

9/24/2024 14:14 – SANDBAGS AVAILABLE FOR POOLER RESIDENTS & BUSINESSES: The City of Pooler will provide free sand and bags for pickup on Wednesday, September 25 from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. (or until supplies run out). Proof of residency/ownership will be required; each household/business is limited to 10 bags. Shovels and scoops will be available, but are limited in number. City staff will be on site to assist those who may need assistance. The filling station will be located in the parking lot of the Pooler Recreation Center at 900 South Rogers Street. As a reminder, the Atlantic hurricane season runs through November 30. If you have the ability to store them, it’s wise to keep your sandbags handy over the next couple of months.

9/24/2024 11:28 – MONITORING IN PROGRESS: As we continue to monitor the incoming storm, the City is taking proactive measures to ensure public safety and minimize potential impact. With forecasts predicting strong winds, heavy rainfall, and possible flooding, we have intensified efforts to monitor and prepare for a weather event. Public Works crews will be inspecting canals and drainage systems to ensure they are clear of debris and fully operational, while Police and Fire-Rescue remain on alert, ready to respond swiftly to any emergencies that may arise.

9/23/2024 – RESOURCES: As a reminder, the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. Residents are urged to stay informed about weather updates and heed any advisories or orders issued by local authorities. Visit https://ready.chathamcountyga.gov for storm updates within Chatham County. 

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