Lowndes braced for Michael

Oct. 10--VALDOSTA -- Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk said Hurricane Michael could end up being worse than Hurricane Irma from last year, when all is said and done.

City and county officials are encouraging all residents to stay inside during the worst of Michael, beginning Wednesday morning.

Lowndes County Commission Chairman Bill Slaughter and Mayor John Gayle have declared a local state of emergency to enact the Lowndes County Emergency Operations Plan and to "prohibit overcharging for goods, materials, services and housing during a state of emergency."

Michael has continued to strengthen since entering the gulf, packing sustained winds of more than100 miles per hour Tuesday afternoon, according to the Lowndes County Emergency Operations Center.

It was expected to reach Category 3 status strength before the eye of the storm makes landfall around 1 p.m. Wednesday near Panama City, Fla. But the impacts will be felt in South Georgia far in advance of landfall, the EOC states.

"We are expecting tropical storm force winds, 39 mph or greater, by 8 a.m. (Wednesday). These winds will gradually increase up to 60-plus mph with hurricane force gusts, greater than 74 mph, certainly possible. Confidence is high that there will be significant impacts across the area," said Paige Dukes, county public information officer and county clerk.

The earliest the winds could arrive is 2 a.m. Wednesday but a more reasonable expectation is 8 a.m., Dukes said.

The threat of tornadoes starts Wednesday morning and continues through Thursday. The tornado threat for Lowndes County is categorized as "elevated."

Michael is expected to bring three to four inches of rain to the area.

Shelter will be available for homeless, mobile homes, substandard housing, etc., at Park Avenue United Methodist Church, 100 E. Park Ave. The church opened Tuesday and remains open until noon Thursday.

Projected wind speeds are not favorable for those staying in recreational vehicles, the EOC stated. People living in a motor home or recreational vehicle are encouraged to seek shelter in a more permanent shelter.

Residents should be prepared to sustain themselves for three days, the EOC stated.

The city said there will be no sanitation services Wednesday. The city's "See-Click-Fix" app can be used to report public property issues within the city limits.

Paulk said the sheriff's office doesn't intend on putting a curfew in place but residents should not go outside, he said. Paulk said deputies will only respond to the most urgent calls out of their own safety.

"People need to get inside and stay inside and be very, very cautious after it's over of downed power lines and leaning trees," Paulk said. "If you don't have to get out, don't go out right after the storm.

"We will be working, but if the winds get higher than 45 miles an hour, we will only answer the most dire calls," he said. "We won't be answering calls that aren't a life-threatening emergency because it's too dangerous."

He warned residents to not take this storm lightly and to be prepared for the worst. Residents should stock up on non-perishables, water and gas, he said.

Valdosta Fire Chief Freddie Broome said extra personnel will staff additional fire trucks.

The fire department will fully staff its Georgia Search and Rescue truck, which specializes in disaster-relief efforts.

"It's a regional truck that responds to structural collapses. It specializes in all kinds of rescues," Broome said. "What we normally do is since the truck is located here in Valdosta, it will be available in our community but also all of the surrounding communities."

He said the GSAR truck, which is one of eight trucks in Georgia, is responsible for responding to emergencies throughout the region.

Broome said he is expecting mostly downed trees and power lines and hopes the truck will not be necessary.

City Public Works Director Richard Hardy said his department has prepared sandbags to be placed throughout the city to divert flood waters.

Sandbags will not be provided to the public, Hardy said.

"We are going to have people out there monitoring it. The sandbags are basically there for the city," Hardy said. "The bags are not for individuals out there because we will be bombarded with calls."

It is up to city and county residents to have the necessary supplies and equipment to take care of their homes and businesses, Hardy said.

While public works is responding during the storm, employees will respond to areas hit with flooding by using the sandbags, he said.

Public works will monitor the city, while the city engineering and sewer departments will keep track of certain problem areas, he said.

Local weather alerts and stories will be posted on The Valdosta Daily Times website www.valdostadailytimes.com.

The Times will also have a LiveBlog offering immediate updates from local and national services on our website at valdostadailytimes.com/news/hurricaneseason. To submit photos, videos or updates to the LiveBlog, use #hurricanemichaelvaldosta on Twitter.

Thomas Lynn is a government and education reporter for The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be reached at (229)244-3400 ext. 1256

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