The Grice Connect team is monitoring Hurricane Helene and compiling information you may need. Please check back to this page often for our latest updates and information on Hurricane Helene.
Click here to view updated power outages.
Click here to view all of our Hurricane Helene coverage.
On This Page | Click to jump to a section:
- Water Filling Stations
- Showers
- Respite/Device Charging
- Free Meals
- Ice
- Power Outage Maps
- Debris Cleanup
- School/Business Closures
- Food Supplies
- Insurance Claims
- FEMA Disaster Relief
- Road Closures
- City of Statesboro Advisories
- Food Safety/Boil Water
- Generator Safety
- Avoiding Home Repair Fraud
- DONATE NOW | Bulloch Strong Fund
- Volunteer
Water Filling Stations
There is no identification or documentation required to visit these places for water. | No se requiere identificación ni documentación para visitar estos lugares por agua.
Currently available water stations:
- City of Statesboro: City drinking water is available at their maintenance facility located at 36 Hill Street, Statesboro, GA daily from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
- Bulloch County Ag Arena: City drinking water is available 24/7 at 44 Arena Boulevard, Statesboro, GA 30458. Enter the back gate and locate the water hose at the livestock barn.
- City of Brooklet: City of Brooklet drinking water is available at their public works facility located at 105 South Cone Street, Brooklet, GA. You will find a hose out the main gate. The water will be available 24/7.
- Brooklet Mayor Nicky Gwinnett's home: Mayor Gwinnett is offering drinking water at his home located at 211 North Cromley Road, Brooklet, GA. Water is available from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.
- First Baptist Church Statesboro: Located at 108 N. Main St., FBC Statesboro is open for water refilling and ice (as long as ice supply lasts) from 1-4pm each day this week. Use Entrance E under the circular drive-thru area at the BACK of the church. Device charging/wi-fi also available in the building.
- Portal City Hall: Water filling available daily.
BRING YOUR OWN CONTAINERS!
Showers
There is no identification or documentation required to visit these places for help. | No se requiere identificación ni documentación para visitar estos lugares en busca de ayuda.
Statesboro YMCA
The Statesboro Family YMCA, located at 409 Clairborne Avenue, is making showers available. They welcome the entire community to use their facility for power and device charging, showers, and a cool, comfortable space. Hours are 7am-8pm daily until further notice.
Member services will be limited during this time.
Splash in the Boro
Splash in the Boro, located at 1388 GA-24, Statesboro, GA 30461, is offering free showers, AC, device charging, and hoses for water jug refills in the AQUATIC CENTER building during the following hours.
- Friday, October 4th: 8am - 8pm
- Saturday, October 5th: 8am - 2pm
- Sunday, October 6th: 2pm - 6pm
- Starting Monday, October 7th these will be our shower hours as long as they are needed.
- Monday - Thursday: 6am - 8pm
- Fridays: 6am - 2pm
- Saturdays: 8am - 2pm
(Enter through the sliding glass doors of the aquatics building -- not the main entrance to the water park.)
Freedom Through Recovery
We are open Monday through Friday (9am-5pm) for showers, coffee, and laundry services! We love you all! Located at 226 S. Zetterower Ave. in Statesboro.
Luetta Moore Park
Open noon-4pm this Wednesday through Friday. Showers available and pool/splash pad open for swimming. NO CHARGE. Pool is not heated but open to all. Located at 585 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. in Statesboro.
Esther's Place
Showers available at 206 East Grady Street Statesboro, GA 30458.
Georgia Southern RAC (*GS STUDENTS, FACULTY & STAFF ONLY*)
Beginning Tuesday, Oct. 1, the shower facilities at the RAC on the Statesboro Campus will be available daily, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., through Sunday, Oct. 6, for students, faculty and staff. Please bring your own shower supplies.
Respite/Device Charging
There is no identification or documentation required to visit these places for help. | No se requiere identificación ni documentación para visitar estos lugares en busca de ayuda.
Statesboro Library
The library is open regular hours (8am-7pm, Monday-Thursday; 9am-6pm, Friday-Saturday) with free, open wi-fi and outlets for charging devices. The library is located at 124 S. Main St. in Statesboro.
First Baptist Church Statesboro
Located at 108 N. Main St., FBC Statesboro has AC/wi-fi/device charging from 1-4pm each day this week. Use Entrance E under the circular drive-thru area at the BACK of the church.
Leefield Baptist Church
AC/charging. Bottled water available. Located at 5294 Brooklet-Leefield Rd., Brooklet GA.
Brooklet Farmers Market
On Saturday, October 5, the Brooklet Farmers Market will host a fun afternoon of respite for families with The Saucy Shrimp food truck and free inflatables from LeapJoy. The event will take place from 2-5pm at the Randy Newman Community Center, along with the regular market. Brooklet Public Works will also have water filling available.
Free Meals
There is no identification or documentation required to receive food. | No se requiere identificación ni documentación para recibir alimentos.
Metter Methodist Church
Friday, October 4: We will serve tacos at the church at 11:30 am and chicken at 5:30 pm. Located at 30 W. Lillian St. in Metter.
Town of Portal
The Town of Portal will be giving out barbecue plates at lunch time Friday, October 4, at the City Hall. We will also be giving out water for those in need. Saturday morning, we will have a Food Drop for the community.
Candler County
Candler County School Buses are on their way out into the community with meals for students.
Ice
There is no identification or documentation required to visit these places for ice. | No se requiere identificación ni documentación para visitar estos lugares por hielo.
Twin Oaks Farm & Vineyard
Twin Oaks, located at 305 Kennedy Pond Rd. Statesboro 30458, is offering free ice beginning at 10am on Tuesday, October 1. Limited to 5 gallons (about 25 lb.) per visitor; no bags provided -- bring your own cooler! Please message them on Facebook to confirm ice is available before you stop by: https://www.facebook.com/twinoaksevents
MS Tire (Portal)
Ice available during operating hours (8am-5pm). Located at 26351 US Highway 80 W Portal, GA 30450. Bring a container. First come, first serve.
Underwood’s Restaurant Equipment (Brooklet)
Donating ice from 8am to 3pm Wednesday and Thursday this week. Located at 17708 US Highway 80 E Brooklet, GA 30415. Bring your coolers. First come, first serve.
Power Outages
Hurricane Helene has caused widespread power outages across the area. Please see outage maps with estimated restoration times below.
To REPORT an outage to GEORGIA POWER, please CLICK HERE. If there is a dangerous condition, including downed power lines, please call 1-888-891-0938.
To REPORT an outage to Excelsior EMC, please call 912-685-2115.
Never touch any downed or low hanging power line. Always assume power lines are energized. Report the location of any downed or low hanging line to the power company. You can also contact local authorities or dial 911 if it is an emergency situation.
Debris Cleanup
Residents impacted by Hurricane Helene can now request cleanup assistance through a dedicated hotline. By calling 844-965-1386, victims can be connected with volunteers from various local, regional, and statewide organizations, including community groups and faith-based communities. These volunteers can assist with tree removal, tarping and debris cleanup.
Registering a need with Crisis Cleanup does not guarantee your need will be met and there is not timeline for assistance at this point. It is a volunteer-run organization. But it is free to request assistance, and any assistance offered through Crisis Cleanup teams will be free to you.
CLICK HERE for full details.
City of Statesboro Debris Removal
The Statesboro Landfill will not be receiving any yard waste at this time. Statesboro residents and businesses should place their yard waste and debris in the public right-of-way for collection. Debris should be placed without blocking the roadway or storm drains, mailboxes, and fire hydrants. Debris piles should be separated into two categories: construction debris (lumber, shingles, metal) and vegetative debris (tree limbs, leaves).
Household trash such as spoiled food should be placed in polycarts and not in the right-of-way. The residential collection schedule for polycarts will operate as normal. Your household trash will be collected on your normal collection day. Waste and debris placed curbside will be collected as Public Works crews can get to it. Please be patient as we process unprecedented levels of debris at the landfill.
County Resident Debris Pickup
From Bulloch EMA: County residents (outside the City of Statesboro), if you have fallen trees, limbs, yard waste from Helene, please cut and pile it by the roadway for eventual pickup. We ask for your patience because it won’t be picked up immediately.
Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief
Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief has arrived at Southbridge Community Church, located at 12376 US Highway 301 South Statesboro, GA 30458. They are here to help clean up after the storm.
Stop by Southbridge to fill out a job request form for help with the following:
- Tree removal
- Roof tarping
- Yard cleanup
Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief is driven by volunteers and funded by the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. For information on how you can help volunteer, stop by the church to get connected.
If you have questions about how Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief can help you, please call 770-853-1339.
City of Brooklet Debris Removal
Hurricane Helene was a devastating event for this area. Myself and all the city staff are praying for everyone affected. I want to thank the Public Works staff for working tirelessly on Friday to clear the roadways. Thank you to the Brooklet Police Department for their efforts as well.
Also, thank you to members of this community who helped support their neighbors during this time. Brooklet is a wonderful community because of its citizens. The Public Works staff will be removing all the yard debris as quickly as possible. Please be patient as we move through the city clearing the debris.
Finally, a very heartfelt THANK YOU to all the linemen and others who have worked tirelessly to restore power to Brooklet!
Nicky Gwinnett, Mayor
School Closures
- Bulloch Academy: Closed Monday, September 30 - Friday, October 4
- Bulloch County Schools: Closed Monday, September 30 - Friday, October 4
- Candler County Schools: Closed Monday, September 30 - Friday, October 4
- Georgia Southern University (All Campuses): Closed Monday, September 30 - Friday, October 4
- Ogeechee Technical College: Closed Monday, September 30 - Friday, October 4
- Statesboro STEAM: Closed Monday, September 30-Friday, October 4
- Trinity Christian School: Closed Monday, September 30 - Friday, October 4
Click here for full information.
Business Closures
List is being updated here.
Food Supplies
There is no identification or documentation required to receive food. | No se requiere identificación ni documentación para recibir alimentos.
Statesboro Food Bank
The Statesboro Food Bank, located at 506 Miller Street, Statesboro, GA, is open Monday through Friday, 10 am to 4 pm.
Feed the Boro
Feed the Boro will host an enhanced food drop on Saturday, October 5, 2024 from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm in the parking lot of Statesboro High School, 10 Coach Lee Hill Boulevard.
Replacement of SNAP Benefits
To request replacement benefits, eligible SNAP recipients must report the loss of food to the Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) and complete a Food Loss Replacement Form (Form 841) verifying the amount of food loss. Customers who were affected have 10 days from the date of the food loss occurrence to request a replacement for food lost during storm-related power outages that lasted four hours or more.
Customers can electronically fill out and submit the Food Loss Replacement Form (Form 841) through the Department of Human Services (DHS) website. Customers can also print out a PDF version of the form or obtain a copy at their local DFCS office and submit it in person or via mail.
Insurance Claims
CLICK HERE for information from Glenn/Davis-Assured Partners regarding insurance claim contact information.
FEMA Disaster Relief
On September 30, 2024, some initial counties in Georgia received Major Disaster Designation due to the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene, which began on September 24, 2024, and is still ongoing. This declaration enables the release of federal funds to assist individuals, households, and communities impacted by the hurricane in their recovery efforts.
For individual assistance (IA), residents in the following counties are eligible for support: Bulloch - Burke - Candler - Columbia - Emanuel - Evans - Glascock - Jefferson - Jenkins - Johnson - Laurens - Lincoln - McDuffie - Montgomery - Richmond - Screven - Tattnall - Toombs - Treutlen - Washington - Wheeler.
Individuals in the listed counties may apply for federal assistance by visiting www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling FEMA's application hotline at 1-800-621-3362.
Road Closures
You can search by road name or locate the road on the map and click on it to get a road status. Check road status before you travel.
Please stay safe and avoid unnecessary travel during this time.
City of Statesboro
Tuesday, October 1st:
1.) The Statesboro Landfill will not be receiving any yard waste at this time. Statesboro residents and businesses should place their yard waste and debris in the public right-of-way for collection. Debris should be placed without blocking the roadway or storm drains, mailboxes, and fire hydrants. Debris piles should be separated into two categories: construction debris (lumber, shingles, metal) and vegetative debris (tree limbs, leaves). Household trash such as spoiled food should be placed in polycarts and not in the right-of-way. The residential collection schedule for polycarts will operate as normal. Your household trash will be collected on your normal collection day. Waste and debris placed curbside will be collected as Public Works crews can get to it. Please be patient as we process unprecedented levels of debris at the landfill.
Waste Update from Bulloch County:
"Bulloch County solid waste centers are quickly reaching capacity due to Hurricane Helene. Starting Monday, crews will briefly close 2-3 centers at a time to empty containers and make room for more household waste, yard waste, etc.. They’ll need 1-2 hours to empty a site before they reopen and move to the next. We apologize for any inconvenience these closures cause."
2.) The Water & Sewer System Public Info meeting is looking to be postponed for October 14th.
3.) Statesboro Area Transit will be operational on October 2nd. The Coastal Regional Commission will resume all transit programs, including Statesboro Area Transit, on October 1st.
4.) The City of Statesboro’s water and sewer system is operational and safe. There were no interruptions during the storm for city customers. No boil water advisories were issued within the city limits. The City of Statesboro has drinking water available at its maintenance facility located at 36 Hill Street, Statesboro. The facility will be open to the public daily from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm until further notice. Please bring bottles or some type of collection device.
5.) City Hall will be open to the public tomorrow.
6.) Bulloch County Administration Offices- closed. Plan to reopen at 8:00 AM on Monday, October 7th. The closure does not apply to Public Safety, Public Works, and similar essential services.
7.) Bulloch County Board of Commissioners meetings-canceled. The regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners scheduled for October 1, 2024, at 5:30 PM is canceled and will be rescheduled and announced at a later date. The special meeting of the Board of Commissioners scheduled for October 3, 2024, at 5:30 PM is canceled and will be rescheduled and announced at a later date.
8.) Board of Equalization Hearings (Tax Appeals), canceled. – Hearings scheduled for 9/30, 10/1, and 10/2 will be rescheduled and announced at a later date.
Food Safety
Boil Water
ALL residents that have experienced water outages and/or low water pressures are advised to use only boiled tap water or bottled water for drinking, cooking, or preparing food.
To properly boil tap water for use, customers should:
- Heat water until bubbles come quickly from the bottom of the container;
- Continue heating the water for one minute once it begins to boil;
- Remove the water from the heat source and allow to cool before use.
During a Boil Water Advisory, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that boiled tap water or bottled water be used for following:
- Drinking
- Brushing teeth
- Washing food and preparing food and baby formula
- Making ice
- Drinking water for pets
Generator Safety
Please let your generator COOL DOWN before attempting to refuel. Full safety information is HERE.
Avoiding Home Repair Fraud
Tips from Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr:
Georgians should continue to be on the lookout for home repair fraud following Hurricane Helene.
Examples:
- Asking for up-front payments for services & then disappearing without ever doing the work
- Charging exorbitant prices for tree removal
- Charging for unnecessary repairs
More here: https://law.georgia.gov/.../consumer-alert-beware-scams...
BULLOCH STRONG Fund
Give here to support longterm recovery in Bulloch County.
