Tropical Storm Hits Jasper County Hard

Virtually all Jasper County roads were reopened by Wednesday morning, and there was hope that those homes without electricity may get it on Wednesday.

Central Georgia Electric Membership Corporation was still showing about 1,200 meters in Jasper County out, Wednesday morning, and persons in the city of Monticello along Hillsboro/Hilton Street were without power Wednesday.

Two crews from LaGrange arrived Wednesday morning to help Monticello workers restore power to the Hillsboro Street area where several large trees fell.

The worst of Tropical Storm Irma, formerly Hurricane Irma, hit Monticello during the work day Monday, when most people had heeded Gov. Nathan Deal’s warning about a state of emergency and stayed off the roads. There were no storm injuries reported.

The city of Monticello measured some 2.25 inches of rain Monday, but the real culprit was the wind which knocked down trees, which downed power lines.

At one point Monday, Department of Transportation officials stopped responding to downed trees, because of risk of injury to the employees. However, Jasper County emergency pesonnel and first responders stayed out in the elements, cutting trees out of roads and diverting traffic where necessary. (See Public Safety Corner, page 5.)

Emergency officials began dealing with the effects of Hurricane Irma last week, when numerous evacuees from Florida found their way through Monticello. There were several fender benders as the traffic was extremely heavy.

Bread and water were popular purchases, so much so that Ingles ran out. The store has re-stocked now. It was closed Monday from abou 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. because of a power outage, but then one lane reopened to serve those who needed food.

Schools were cancelled for Monday and Tuesday ahead of the storm so people were mostly staying home to weather the storm. School was cancelled again Wednesday.