Savannah Standard

The City of Savannah is dealing with significant impacts from Hurricane Helene, including extensive debris and widespread power outages. Essential emergency services such as public safety, water and sewer, stormwater management, park and tree maintenance, and traffic engineering are operating at full capacity.

Starting Monday, Sept. 30, the Sanitation Department will suspend all recycling services until further notice. Recycling carts can be used for garbage overflow and placed curbside alongside regular garbage carts for collection this week. Residential refuse collection will continue as usual. Residents are advised to hold recyclables until normal collections resume or use single-stream drop-off facilities.

Debris removal operations will commence the week of Sept. 30 through a secured contractor. More details on debris collection will be provided in the coming days. Due to the large volume of debris, these operations are expected to last several weeks. Residents can also dispose of debris at Dean Forest Road Landfill or Bacon Park Convenience Center during regular hours.

On Sunday, the Tompkins Regional Center (2333 Ogeechee Rd.) will open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., serving as a temporary comfort/charging center for residents. Additionally, Daffin Park Pool will be open from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) will open several locations as charging/cooling centers on Sunday: The Empowerment Center (4704 Augusta Road) from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Compassion Christian Church (50 Al Henderson Blvd.) from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Mighty 8th Air Museum (175 Bourne Ave.) from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Life Bridge Ministry (8511 Waters Ave.) from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Kingdom Life Christian Fellowship (425 W Montgomery Cross Rd.) from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Tybee Island YMCA (204 Fifth St.) from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

CEMA will also host Drive Thru Ice Distribution Centers at Memorial Stadium and L Scott Stell Park from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m on Sunday.

There are currently an estimated 82,000 power outages affecting about half of the community's population. Georgia Power has released estimated restoration times and residents can find more information at outagemap.georgiapower.com.

City crews have completed damage assessments in all neighborhoods and are compiling data reports on Sunday morning assessments noted that thirty roads remain closed within the city limits while some traffic signals have been restored; however, many remain without power or are operating under generator power or flash mode.

Drivers should treat non-operating stoplights as all-way stops and exercise caution while driving.

Service requests can still be submitted online at savannahga.gov/311request or via the SAV311 mobile app.

Residents using generators for power should read manuals carefully, refuel safely, only use generators outside while monitoring carbon monoxide output, never leave them running unattended, and keep them away from doors and windows.

Water Resources reports no major issues with the city's drinking water supply system while sewage systems continue operating under mixed generator and grid power without major issues reported.

For updates specific to Savannah, residents are encouraged to follow @cityofsavannah on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram TikTok Twitter or visit savannahga.gov/stormhelene.