The City of Savannah is maintaining emergency response efforts as Tropical Storm Debby impacts the area, with emergency crews focusing on significant flooding and infrastructure challenges. The emergency response is set to continue through Tuesday evening.
Key Areas Affected:
- Tremont Park Neighborhood: Experiencing significant flooding; Tremont Road at the Musgrove Canal crossing is closed. High water levels are present on Ogeechee Road east of I-516. Drivers are advised to avoid these areas.
- Flooding and Road Closures: Street flooding is widespread, leading to numerous street closures. Affected areas include Ogeechee at Mills B. Lane, Victory from Hopkins, 37th at Jefferson, and others. The public is urged to exercise caution and avoid driving through flooded streets.
- Power and Infrastructure: Three city wells lost power, but operations were maintained with generators until full power was restored at 7 a.m. Sewer systems faced high levels, but all issues have been addressed.
Emergency Services and Public Safety:
- Police and Fire Department Activity: On Monday, the Savannah Fire Department conducted 18 water rescues and responded to 106 emergency calls. The Savannah Police Department handled 881 emergency calls. City crews responded to a major incident on Dundee Street involving a fallen tree on a home, with the family successfully rescued.
- Shelters and Evacuations: A total of 71 people have been served in city and partner shelters, with the Enmarket Arena and Tompkins Regional Center providing accommodations. The Chatham Savannah Authority for the Homeless transported 116 people to shelter partners.
Public Advisories and Updates:
- Safety Reminders: Residents are reminded to treat intersections with non-functioning traffic signals as four-way stops and to avoid approaching downed power lines, reporting them to 911 and Georgia Power.
- Communication Channels: For real-time updates, residents can follow the City of Savannah on social media or visit //savannahga.gov/debby. City offices remain closed on Tuesday, with updates on operations for Wednesday expected by Tuesday evening.
- Weather Forecast: Chatham County is currently under a Flood Warning, Tropical Storm Warning, Storm Surge Warning, and Flood Watch. Rainfall is anticipated to reach 6-9 inches, with high tide at 10:53 p.m. A storm surge of 2-4 feet is expected, and the risk of sinkholes and cave-ins remains elevated.
Residents are urged to remain vigilant and follow safety guidelines as city officials continue their response to the storm’s impacts.
