Irma Causes Havoc

Many in Toccoa-Stephens County and surrounding areas are waking up this morning to trees down, debris in yards and roads, and in general a mess.

Though wind speeds from what is now Tropical Depression Irma didn’t quite reach the potential 50 mph gusts it did enough to cause some damage around the area that included numerous power outages.

Hart EMC reported almost 11,000 affected system wide including approximately 4300 in Stephens County, and over 3000 in Franklin County.

Georgia Power reported around 8000 affected in this area of Northeast Georgia.

 

Toccoa Police Chief Tim Jarrell urged people to stay home and be patient noting that several streets in the City of Toccoa were closed due to down power lines and trees. Some of the streets Jarrell mentioned included Crane Mountain, Scenic Drive, Rosedale, and Henderson Falls.

Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley told WNEG News that deputies were assisting the Stephens County Road Department clearing numerous roadways in the county as well as at least four houses with two having extensive damage as the result of fallen trees.

Sheriff Shirley warns citizens of Stephens County that many trees may not be cleared from roadways this morning so please drive carefully and be aware especially on highways and backroads where you could encounter fallen trees and blocked roadways.