Tornadoes Hit Jasper, 1 Dead
One man died, and nine others were injured when tornadoes hit parts of Jasper County last Thursday.
Jesse Maxwell, a foreman with Georgia Right-of-Way, was working clearing trees Friday night after tornadoes came through the area Thursday when a tree snapped back and struck him in the head. A celebration of life for Mr. Maxwell will be held today, Jan. 19, at 6 p.m. at Relevant Church in Locust Grove. A private burial will be held later.
The tornadoes hit north and west of Monticello, with Conley Ditch Road, Dallas Trail and Yancy Road off Hwy. 212 west being hard hit as well as many areas off County Line Road. Students returned to school Wednesday of this week but buses were not able to serve Hodges Farm Road, Dallas Trail and Yancey Road. Crews are still working to remove debris from the areas.
The EF-2 tornado covered 32 miles on the ground, with a footprint 3/4 of a mile wide, according to authorities.
As of Sunday evening, emergency responders had checked houses in the affected areas, and found 148 to have damage. Of those 36 had minimal damage, 51 had minor damage, 40 had major damage, meaning the occupants will be displaced for a time. Twenty-one homes were destroyed.
Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency almost as soon as the tornadoes hit, and a presidential declaration followed. There were about 50 calls to 911 during the storms, and phones were knocked out too. Gov. Kemp has announced residents in seven Georgia counties affected by January 12 severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes are now eligible to apply for disaster assistance. The disaster declaration covers Butts, Henry, Jasper, Meriwether, Newton, Spalding and Troup Counties for individual and public assistance.
In going door to door, officials found several cases of serious health conditions which the local 911 center was not aware of. Brian Burgamy, 911 Director, encourages people in households with special needs to report that to the 911 center by calling 706-468-4930. It helps emergency responders to know, and in the cases they found over the weekend, several people are on oxygen or have other health needs that require electricity to care for them.
The individuals needed help keeping generators going. Mr. Burgamy urged people countywide to go ahead and report special conditions now so when there is an emergency, emergency responders have the information.
As of Tuesday, Department of Transportation (DOT) trucks had carried 565 dump truck loads of debris from the affected areas to the Jasper County Landfill. Officials documented more than 160 roads in the county that were affected by the tornadoes.
Anyone who is a victim of the tornadoes may seek Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) assistance. They need to call, 1-800-621-3362. The process for aid is fairly quick, said Jasper County Deputy EMA Director Ed Westbrook. But, the way it works, the individual will have to apply for a small business loan, then they will see if they qualify for help.
A warming station has been set up at the Family Life Center of New Rocky Creek Baptist Church where volunteers and victims may go to get supplies, eat a meal and/or take a shower. The Amerian Red Cross, FEMA and GEMA are all working together to provide needed items to the storm victims. Blankets, tarps, canned goods, bottled water, shovels and rakes and other necessities are available.
Volunteers are asking for jugs of water to be donated. People without power need water to flush toilets, cook and clean. The center has plenty of bottled drinking water but jugs of water are requested.
Trees, limbs, and debris can be carried to the Jasper County Landfill, free of charge on Fridays and Saturdays, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. until February 25.
People are reminded that unfortunately some people will take advantage of a bad situation. Be sure to check the credentials of anyone you consider doing business with…such as roofers, home contractors, yard men, etc. Also, FEMA officials will not ask for private information…always get identification before giving out any personal information.
Many volunteers, private companies and individuals have helped with the clean-up, along with DOT and county agencies who have worked tirelessly.
