The recovery from Hurricane Irma is still under way as of Thursday, September 14, at 5:00 p.m. Complete recovery – full power restoration, debris and tree removal, offices and businesses fully open, and more – will take several days, if not more.
For continued updates on Hurricane Irma and shelter operations, follow Macon-Bibb County EMA on Facebook and Twitter, and visit their website, www.MaconBibb.us/EMA.
Roads Opening
Crews from multiple departments began clearing trees and debris from the roads at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 11, working through that night and in the following days. During that time, crews have cleared 171 of 203 reported roads that were closed due to debris. The remaining 32 involve power lines, and the Public Works Department is coordinating with Georgia Power to get those cleared safely and quickly.
The emergency call center is still receiving reports of impassable roads, and drivers with the Solid Waste Department riding their normal trash collection routes are also calling in any blocked roads they find. To report trees and debris in the road, use the phone numbers listed below under “Reporting Issues.”
Traffic signals
The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind all motorists to treat these intersections as a 4-Way Stop. When approaching an intersection where the traffic lights are out or on flash, drivers need to stop before entering the intersection.
Facilities Management crews began working on traffic signals early Tuesday morning, and on Thursday afternoon- 246 of the 254 intersections with the red/yellow/green lights are functioning. We have eight that are dark waiting on power, and an additional 13 intersections that have stop and go lights.
If a traffic light is blinking, they are being fixed by Facilities Management. If the lights are not on, there is no power there and will be fixed once power is restored. To report traffic lights and broken or missing traffic signs, use the phone numbers listed below under “Reporting Issues.”
Power Restoration
Georgia Power began their work Monday night, and as of Thursday at 5:00 p.m., there were 15,754 homes and businesses without power in Macon-Bibb County. That’s down from about 55,000 Monday evening. To report or check an outage, see “Reporting Issues” below. Georgia Power reminds people to never touch any downed wire or attempt to remove tree branches from power lines; it can kill.
Reporting Issues
If there is a tree down, fallen traffic signal or sign in your neighborhood, please report it 478-832-6300 between 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Friday. Outside of those hours, people can call 478-751-7500. To report a power outage to Georgia Power, go to http://outagemap.georgiapower.com or call 888-891-0938.
Trash & Recycling Collection
Trash and recycling pickup is a day behind this week. (Thursday’s pick up on Friday, Friday’s pick up Saturday.) During debris removal operations, Solid Waste will not be picking up any bulky yard waste on their regular routes because the equipment will be dedicated to debris. Containerized yard waste (leaves and pine straw in trash bags or cans) will be picked up. Do not put branches in trash cans. Please note: The Macon-Bibb County Fire Department reminds all citizens that a burn ban is still in effect, so do not burn your yard waste or debris.
Evacuation Shelter Update
By the end of the day Thursday, only Theron Ussery Recreation Center (851 North Macon Park Drive) and East Macon Recreation Center (3326 Ocmulgee East Boulevard) remained open with evacuees. People began returning home Tuesday morning, and the shelters at Frank Johnson, Memorial Park, and Rosa Jackson Recreation Centers have been closed. The emergency animal shelter will be closing Friday, September 14, at 4:00 p.m.
