Local businesses helping clear debris in aftermath of Hurricane Helene
In addition to the volunteers and aid workers providing food, water and shelter to residents in need where Hurricane Helene hit, some of the best examples of heroes are the ones repairing essential infrastructure in affected areas.
It’s why Jefferson Township resident and Adler Tree Service employee Barry Steele, along with thousands of other workers from across the country, are being lauded for clearing fallen trees to open up roads and restore some sense of normalcy as a significant number of southeastern towns and cities grapple with the aftermath of a Category 4 storm.
“Every neighborhood we’ve been in so far has just been super appreciative of what we’re trying to do,” said Steele. “It’s nice to know that these people are receiving the help they need. You really have a sense of pride for this work. It just feels pretty good being the person that others are relying on.”
Adler Tree Service, based in Gibsonia, is one of many companies that have been contracted by various electric companies to kick-start the clearing and rebuilding process.
After being dispatched to Florida for a week, he and the rest of his team were called to assist efforts in the city of Waycross, Ga., where they’ve worked 16-hour days. Most of that time has been spent clearing fallen trees from power lines, cars and houses.
“We just get sent out somewhere to help, so we don’t really know where we’ll be,” Steele said. “Some of our crew went to South Carolina, some went to Atlanta, Ga., and the remainder were sent to Waycross. There’s usually a disaster relief headquarters where they have fuel tankers and supplies for everyone. (The Federal Emergency Management Agency) also provides water, meals, sleeping arrangements and anything else we would need for the work we do.”
Steele noted some areas in Georgia have power, but some areas have been without electricity for up to a week or more, making rescue efforts and communication far more challenging. According to a Wednesday report from First Coast News, about 60% of residents in Waycross are still without power.
“We’ve gone through multiple roads and sections of town,” he said. “Some company brought down skid steers to clean up the trees that we’re cutting up. I’d say from yesterday (Tuesday) to now (Wednesday), we have cleared about a quarter of the roads for an entire village in the area where we’re at. We’ll definitely be staying here until the job gets completed.”
