Dougherty emergency management officials continue tornado relief efforts

Jan. 23--ALBANY -- As search and rescue efforts continue in the areas of east Albany that were devastated by a Sunday-afternoon tornado that left at least four people dead, Dougherty County Emergency Management officials are working to coordinate efforts with multiple agencies to effectively deal with the situation.

In a storm update press release issued by the EMA Monday morning, officials said that search and rescue remains a top priority as emergency personnel sift through the destruction, looking for missing residents. According to EMA Director Ron Rowe, at least 35 Georgia Search and Rescue members have been sent to the site to work with the local 10-man team.

Additionally, area law enforcement, including the Albany Police Department, Dougherty County Police Department and the Dougherty County Sheriff's Office, are on the scene and being assisted by the Georgia Department of Transportation and the Georgia Forestry Department.

Although teams are reportedly making progress with damage estimates and relief efforts, officials are still working to determine the path of the tornado. A flyover of the area has been completed and an update is expected soon.

Thus far the known affected areas are:

-- Radium Springs/Patrol/Cannon/Edwards area

-- 600 Holly Drive trailer park

-- Roxanna/Virginia/Hibiscus area

-- U.S. Highway 19/Holly Drive

-- Mock Road/Sanford, Duitman area

-- Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany

-- Johnson Road/Sylvester Road

-- Crescent/Cherokee area

-- Sylvester Road trailer parks (numerous)

-- Sylvester Road/Radial subdivision, Hill Road

-- Lily Pond Road/Newton Road area

-- Southwest Georgia Regional Airport

-- Habersham/Forsythe area

-- Cochran/Madison/Willard area

-- Wells/Southgate area

-- Pine Glen subdivision

-- Hill /Road/County Line Road

-- Tompkins/Pearce/Brierwood apartments

-- Rosebrier Road/Brierwood houses

-- Sylvester Road/Branch Road

-- Mercantile/Teche mobile home area

-- 1611 Krug Street business

-- Martin Luther King business

-- Riverview/Flintlock/Malone areas

-- Imperial Road/Bettys Drive areas

-- Evergreen/Hemlock areas

-- Abbey Road/Shannon/Brittany areas

-- Gary/Sharon areas

-- 1400 Whispering Pines Gardens apartments 1 and 2

Restoring power to as much of the impacted areas of Dougherty County as quickly as possible is also a priority as multiple circuits, breakers and substations were impacted.

The American Red Cross has opened a 24-hour emergency shelter at the Albany Civic Center, and transportation is being provided by Albany Transit to get people from impacted areas to the shelter. Those needing transportation may call (229) 483-6226. Transit pickup locations are the Harvey's Supermarket Plaza on Radium Springs Road and the U.S. Post Office.

Individuals in need of disaster relief assistance from the Red Cross can call (229) 436-4845 or (855) 891-7325. Monetary donations to Albany Storm Relief efforts can be made via the Sherwood Baptist Church online giving page at www.sherwoodbaptist.net/give. Those making donations may select Credit Cards and Help Albany on the donation page. Checks can also be mailed to Sherwood Baptist Church, 2201 Whispering Pines Road, Albany, Ga. 31070. Indicate #HelpAlbany in the memo line.

Donations can also be made through the United Way of Southwest Georgia through its secure portal at www.unitedwayswga.org/help or mail a check to P.O. Box 70429, Albany, Ga. 31708. Memo Disaster Relief Fund.

Clothing, food and other in-kind donations can be made to the American Red Cross at the Albany Civic Center shelter. Donors are being asked to call first.

Reports coming from the Dougherty County School System have confirmed that school will be cancelled today as power outages and minor damage have been reported at multiple schools. Dougherty High School, Radium Elementary School and Turner Elementary School are all without power, while Radium Middle School and Albany High's gym have sustained some roof damage.

With the magnitude of destruction, the storm has also drawn state and national attention, with Georgia lawmakers weighing in from Washington, D.C. Both Congressman Sanford Bishop and Congressman Austin Scott have issued statements, as has Senator David Perdue.

Bishop's statement reads in part: "The storms and tornadoes that struck Albany and the rest of the Southwest and Middle Georgia region yesterday were truly devastating. My heartfelt prayers go out to those who lost loved ones, those who have been displaced, and those who have been otherwise impacted by this tragedy.

"Recovery from this disaster will be long and difficult. For the second time this month, we have confronted the worst of Mother Nature. However, I am confident that we will continue to see the best in Human Nature as we come together as a community to support each other during these trying times."

Scott's statement reads: "My thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the recent storms in South Georgia, especially those who lost loved ones and property.

"It is particularly distressing as the Eighth Congressional District is my hometown, and its constituents, my neighbors. But while the devastation is heartbreaking, I want to thank those who have already selflessly volunteered to offer mutual aid, our many first responders who worked through the storm and its aftermath to reduce the loss of life, and our governor and President Trump, who quickly pledged their support."

Is his statement, which was made Sunday, Perdue directly addressed the state of emergency Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal issued for Atkinson, Berrien, Brooks, Colquitt, Cook, Lowndes and Thomas counties, following the tornado.

"Our thoughts go out to the Georgians impacted by these dangerous storms, especially the victims who tragically lost their lives," said the statement. "We thank our many first responders, volunteer firefighters, and good Samaritans who continue to help our communities recover. My office has been in touch with the governor's office, and we stand ready to do all we can to assist Georgians in need."

With both the Albany area and counties to the southeast working hard to recover from the destruction, the National Weather Service office in Tallahassee is also working to get a handle on the intensity of the storms that pummelled southern Georgia.

Meteorologist Kelly Godsey said two crews are currently surveying the impacted areas, gathering data about the tornado activity. Godsey said one crew is in the Albany area trying to survey what he called "a long track" that extends into Turner and Wilcox counties. A second crew is the Brooks and Turner county areas surveying the path of another storm.

"We haven't had any updated information other than what we've reported," said Godsey. "Our crews are still out assessing those areas. We might not have a complete update for some time. We need to give them time to do a thorough assessment."

The NWS office was busy throughout the weekend as a series of storms worked their way northeast from the Gulf of Mexico through parts of Florida, Alabama and Georgia, leaving a trail of damage in their wake.

The additional wind and rain from this weekend brought on a series of additional road closures as debris and flooding choked off travel. In fact, the EMA is asking motorists to avoid the following areas and find alternate routes:

-- Dougherty Street

-- 2500 East Doublegate Drive

-- Honeysuckle Drive

-- 2500 block of Oxford Drive

-- 900 block of West First Avenue

-- Holly Drive

-- Briarwood Drive

-- 200 block of Denson Road

-- Madeline Road

-- Johnson Road

-- 2000 block of Schley Avenue

Additionally U.S. Highway 82 eastbound is closed at County Line Road. Motorists can take Hill Road or Fleming Road as detours.

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