By Emma Griffin, correspondent.
After Helene pounded Bryan County with tropical storm winds and rainfall Thursday night, many woke to fallen trees and downed power lines, leaving the majority of residents without power. But local agencies and volunteers quickly responded helping those in need.
County residents had to travel elsewhere to gain access to working gas pumps, braving intersections without working traffic lights. While electricity has returned for many residents, thousands in Bryan County are still without power as of Monday.
The city of Richmond Hill opened two weather refuges for those without access to safe shelter at the Timber Trail Gym and the Mikell Foxworth Gym on Thursday night, and the Salvation Army stepped in to offer longer-term support. The charity partnered with the City of Richmond Hill to open a food pantry at the Community House on 10512 Ford Avenue on Sunday. Hundreds attended.
The Community Center previously served as a base of operations for volunteers helping with recovery from Tropical Storm Debby and closed Sept. 25 before temporarily being reopened on Sunday.
The pantry offered food boxes for those who lost considerable perishable items, a cooling area for those without air conditioning, running water with jugs/buckets and outlets to charge electronics. By the end of the day, 200 pre-packaged meal kits and 200 hot meals had been distributed, with additional food and resource distribution sites to be updated on the city government’s social media.
Additionally, cooling centers in the Timber Trail Gymnasium and the Henderson Park Gymnasium opened on Sunday with the operating hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Families are encouraged to visit as schools will continue to remain closed through Tuesday.
Ice bags will be distributed, and outlets will be available to charge electronic devices. Games, movies and popcorn will also be present for families with children.
The Category 4 hurricane, which weakened to a tropical storm, had passed by Friday morning, but it is clear that the long-term effects are still being felt with numerous businesses and parks remaining closed for the next few days as roads continue to be cleared and electricity continues to be restored.
As of Monday, some roads near Ellabell are still closed, including Bill Futch Road and Pine Needle Drive.
