Lt. Governor of Georgia visits counties impacted by Helene

TOOMBS COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) – Georgia’s Lt. Governor Burt Jones visited some of Helene’s hardest hit areas Thursday, including Montgomery and Toombs Counties.

One of Lt. Governor Jones’ stops included the Vidalia-Toombs EMA building where city and county leaders, including first responders, gave their “day seven” updates following Helene’s impact last week.

The Lt. Governor says he wanted to see how his office can help, as well as bring awareness to storm victims’ needs.

“We want to have every ability, it doesn’t matter if it’s like I said a local city system, county system, power companies, hospitals, whatever it might be, individual citizens or businesses, we want everybody to know that we are here to take your calls and provide whatever services that we need to do to accomplish our end goals,” said Lt. Governor Jones.

Lt. Governor Jones says he wants people to know his office has an open line of communication for those in need.

After power in the area is restored and all the necessary repairs are made, the Lt. Governor’s office will then determine how many state dollars will be allocated to the rebuilding process.

Montgomery County also suffered devastating damages after Helene made landfall a week ago.

To show their support, Lt. Governor Jones, alongside State Senator Blake Tillery, visited Montgomery County High School Thursday where volunteers have been passing out supplies to those in need.

Downed power lines, destroyed homes and trees ripped from the ground are just some of the reminders that Helene left for people in Montgomery County.

The storm damage prompting state officials to respond.

“Here in Montgomery County, it’s a lot like the other counties we’ve seen,” said Lt. Governor Jones. “It’s significant, the damage is significant, and it’s going to take resources.”

Resources that will help repair some of what was lost in the storm.

In the meantime, locals are doing what they can to support their own. Volunteers have been stationed at Montgomery County High School for nearly a week passing out food, water and other supplies to people in dire need.

The county’s school superintendent says they’re trying to help in every little way they can.

“We are eagles, so we were built to soar above the storm. Keep your head high. We’re not going to clean this up in a day,” said Rhonda Hightower. “When we get back to school, it’s going to be a slow start getting folks back to school. But we are going to get people back as quick as we can.”

These efforts are only the beginning of Montgomery’s long road to recovery, and people are hoping more help is on the way.

“This is something we’ve never been through in our lives. Just keep us in y’all’s prayers, please,” Judy Quarterman, volunteer and Montgomery County resident.

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