Today's 3 p.m. county briefing was still heavily concerned with the post-tornado cleanup going on around Dade. County Executive Ted Rumley stressed that the back part of the county transfer station as of today is open for brush collection "seven days a week from dark to dark." But Rumley stressed the brush collection area is only for natural materials--shingles and other building materials must go into the regular garbage area, which will only be open regular hours--Tuesday through Saturday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Rumley said chainsaw strike teams from the state are working long days cleaning up after Sunday's tornado. "Thank goodness they're helping us," he said. "They're a blessing for Dade County."
Georgia Power still had 63 households without power as of the 3 p.m. briefing, hopefully to be back in the light by late this evening. Rumley said electricians seem to be at a premium, but if all you need is an electrical inspection the county can get that done almost as soon as you call. "It doesn't matter if it's on Saturday or Sunday," said Rumley. "Call my phone and we'll make it happen for you." Rumley's cell number is (423) 667-8999.
FEMA--the Federal Emergency Management Agency--has been flying around over the county today assessing the damage. "They're the people that will decide whether we get any federal assistance," said Rumley.
He and Dade Emergency Services Directgor Alex Case both explained that, depending on the level of damage, Dade uninsured homeowners and renters may be eligible for individual assistance from the Feds. Call Case's office for more information on that. For that matter, said Case, call his office if you're not sure your damaged home is already on his list of damaged properties. That non-emergency number is (706) 657-4111.
Case, giving his own report on the storm damage, said that five local families had been displaced by the tornado. The Red Cross is currently putting them up at the local Days Inn, but his office is looking for affordable rental housing for them. If you know of any, Case's number is above.
Case said a total of 105 homes had been damaged in Dade, with one two-story house and three modular homes completely destroyed. Answering a listener's question about whether it was OK to pick up chain-sawed treefall for firewood, he said sure, on private property if you have the homeowner's permission, but not from the county right of way because it would be too dangerous.
Sheriff Cross thanked neighbors who have been pitching in to help their neighbors clear up after the storm. "That's what this county's all about," he said. But he wasn't quite as tickled by people showing up in the heavily damaged areas just to gawk. "When you do that , you're actually hindering the cleanup crews and Georgia Power." He warned sightseers that if they're caught on, they'll be invited to get out of their cars to help with the cleanup. "If you want to do that, then come on out," said Sheriff Cross.
Cross answered a question about stopping cars with out-of-state plates during the COVID-19 lockdown. Sorry, he said: "We have to have probable cause."
As for the sheriff and his deputies stopping would-be visitors to Cloudland Canyon State Park, as discussed yesterday, Rumley seemed to dial that rhetoric back a little today. After a long meeing with the sheriff and Robin Rogers, the county attorney, Rumley said he'd learned there were things the county can do and others the county can't. He said he had another meeting Thursday with highers-up in the Department of Natrual Resources and would report back back after that.
In any case, said the county boss: "We're going to do everything in our power within the law to protect the people of Dade County. You can bet on that."
Reporting as he does every day on the COVID-19 situation, Rumley cited the noon numbers of 14987 confirmed cases in Georgia up from 14,223 Tuesday, 552 deaths up from 501. The numbers are still going up but not as steeply as they were a week ago, said Rumley. "It's kind of calming down a little bit," he said. Walker County is up to 13 cases from seven Tuesday, Hamilton County (Tenn.) went from 109 to 110, Jackson and DeKalb in Alabama went from 27 to 30 and 28 to 29, respectively. "At least we're not tremendously going up like we were," said Rumley.
But the Georgia Department of Public Health Daily Status Report is updated twice daily, and the 7 p.m. numbers for Dade were alarming enough that the Dade Facebook page promised to discuss them at Thursday's briefing. Dade's count of 3 cases doubled to six. Click on the DPH logo to go directly to the daily status report.
Another COVID-19 matter the county boss touched on was the Southeastern Lineman Training Center and its plans to begin a new class in May. This is of concern to Dade residents in that the school recruits from all over the nation, including sections of the country that have more of the sickness than Dade does.
Rumley said school leadership had informed him the college had ordered 300 test kits so that recruits will have negative proof they are not carriers. And he reminded listeners that the college is training linemen and telecommunication infrastructure workers, both critical for the operation of the nation. "They are considered an essential work group and an essential school," he said.
These updates are livestreamed every day at 3 p.m. from the Dade County Ga. Facebook page. "Like" the page and you will be alerted when the county goes live. Alternatively, you may watch the videos later either on the county's page or on The Planet's, where they are shared.
