Pike County Times
The Pike County Times, PO Box 843, Zebulon, Georgia 30295. You can donate through PayPal at the link on the bottom of the page. Becky Watts: Phone # 770-468-7583 editor(@)pikecountytimes.com
 
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Photo courtesy of Donalsonville Church of the Nazarene. More photos below the article.

Photo courtesy of Donalsonville Church of the Nazarene.
 

Photo courtesy of Donalsonville News.

Photo courtesy of Donalsonville News.
 
Pike County Not Affected Much by Hurricane Michael
How to Help in a Small Town in Southwest Georgia

ZEBULON - Hurricane Michael hit the coast of Florida as a Category 4 hurricane that was almost a Category 5. It left a path of destruction in its wake as it churned its way across the Florida Panhandle, east across the state of Georgia, and finally went back out to sea. The devastation has left many without power and even homes to go back to.

Pike County felt rain and some wind, but overall the damage here was not like that where Hurricane Michael made landfall. Major David Neal of the Pike County Sheriff’s Office advised that there were only five tree calls and two minor accidents.

Public Works Director Todd Goolsby advised that there were some road closures from trees but that the trees were being cleared by our work crews as quickly as possible.

Thank You

Thank you to our emergency responders, law enforcement, and employees from Public Works who were available to work before, during, and after the storm last night here in Pike County. And while Pike County weathered this storm fairly well, there are other places in the state that did not.

Public Works Director Todd Goolsby gave me this update from Pike County Public Works around 10 a.m. this morning: "Shackleford Road was closed is open now. Bethany Church at Spalding County line is now open and Turner Road between Hollonville and Concord Road-- closed currently-- will be open soon."

Pike County EMA Director Jim Totten gave an update today and said, “Pike dodged a bullet last night for the most part. We have very little damage reported. If you see any or hear of any please post on this page so we know about it.

I want to give a huge shout out to our volunteer fire department, many spent most the night at stations around the county, so they could respond to emergencies quicker. Remember, I said they volunteer. What an awesome group. Their command staff manned the emergency operations center into the morning hours. They are all volunteer also.

Also, a huge shout out to law enforcement, public works and always to 911 operations, they worked hard to take calls and clear debris well into this morning. We have an awesome group here in Pike County.”

Indeed we do! Please pray for those communities around the Florida Panhandle where Hurricane Michael came ashore in prayer as well as those that were devastated by the storm as it made its way across the state of Georgia. Keep our linemen in prayer as well. They have some long days ahead of them.

Here are thoughts from a newspaper editor who follows her own advice: If you see people out working after this storm --from tree trimmers to linemen-- honk and give a thumbs up, holler thank you, do something to let them know that they are appreciated!

In the upcoming days, there will be ways to help out our friends and neighbors during this time of need. Here is one where we can help right now.

How Can We Help?

Pastor Kevin Thomas is the Georgia District Nazarene Disaster Response (NDR) Coordinator from the Barnesville Church of the Nazarene. He and a group of more than a dozen volunteers just returned from leading a Disaster Response Team to Laurinburg, Boiling Springs Lakes, Southport, and Leland, North Carolina where they helped with the disaster left behind by Hurricane Florence.

This group of volunteers included several members from the Donalsonville Church of the Nazarene where that this church is now dealing with devastation left behind from a hurricane themselves. The pastor of the Donalsonville Church of the Nazarene was one of those volunteers.

Kyle Poole, District Superintendent for the Church of the Nazarene here in Georgia, advised that he had talked to Pastor Scott Messer at Donalsonville around 7:30 pm on Wednesday night. “He said that he and the people are safe but the area looks like a ‘war zone.’” Pastor Messer said that there was a lot of wind damage including the church steeple coming down and into the vestibule of the church where they were providing shelter at the church for about 30 people. However, he gave God praise that there were no injuries.

The latest news came from Pastor Scott Messer earlier today where he said, “... Everyone is safe and alive. Praise the Lord! Still trying to reach some church family to check on. No injuries so far. They have a curfew till lunch. Power will be out for 3-4 weeks they say. Church has some damage. Parsonage ok. Roads still blocked with trees and power lines. Steeple fell thru the church roof. Some water damage in ceiling of sanctuary and rain water in parts of the church. Looks like a war zone everywhere. Please keep praying. I haven’t got in touch with any one yet about clean up plans here. Soon as I do I’ll call you. Don’t know where to start or begin! Thanks for prayers.”

Pastor Kevin Thomas advised that Barnesville Church of the Nazarene is working with the community and churches around the state to send emergency relief supplies to Donalsonville, Georgia. Donalsonville, Georgia is a small rural town at in the southwest corner of the state of Georgia that is located just north of the Alabama, Georgia, and Florida lines. It’s the county seat for Seminole County with a population that was 2,796 at the 2000 census. They are expecting to be without power for three to four weeks.

Bottled water and cleaning supplies are the biggest needs right now. In addition to bottled water, cleaning supplies, bleach, vinegar, and peroxide, diapers, baby wipes, formula, and other infant care items, feminine hygiene products, non-perishable food items, can openers, etc. can be taken to victims. The church will also deliver donated items like chainsaws and generators.

Time Is of the Essence

UPDATE 10.12.18: ALL DONATED ITEMS MUST BE AT THE CHURCH BY 5 PM ON MONDAY. A CHAINSAW CREW WILL BE LEAVING OUT AT 4 AM ON TUESDAY MORNING, WORKING THROUGH THE DAY, AND COMING HOME TUESDAY NIGHT. If you would like to be a part of the chainsaw/clean up crew, contact Pastor Kevin Thomas through FB, by email at kevin@barnesvillenazarene.com or by phone at 931-261-9409.

Here is an updated list of needed supplies:
Bottled water
Cleaning supplies, especially Bleach, White vinegar, and Peroxide. (Bleach won't kill mold, but vinegar and Peroxide will).
Infant care items including Diapers, Wipes, Formula, etc.
Feminine Hygiene items.
Non-Perishable food items such as: Peanut Butter and Jelly, Bread, Granola Bars, Vienna Sausage, Tuna, Canned Fruit, and just about any items that can be eaten with little preparation.
Canned food items and can openers
Chainsaws and generators
Pet Foods
Paper Goods. (Toilet Paper, Napkins, Paper Towels, Kleenex, etc.)
Cash or a donation can be made through Barnesville Church of the Nazarene if you will put "Hurricane Response" on the memo line.

"I am STRONGLY encouraging local Churches or groups to organize work/mission teams to go. I will help facilitate these groups, but cannot personally go with every group," said Pastor Kevin. "Right now, we cannot gain access into effected areas of Florida to assess damages. We will focus on Southern Georgia until Florida opens up."

Time is of the essence with donations and Monday at 5 p.m. is the deadline to get your donations. If there is way to help facilitate the process of loading, stacking, unloading, and sorting, and it would be immensely helpful if donated items are packaged in cases, boxes, or pallets. He said that every single item is important and appreciated, but he suggested that local churches and community members could help with this process by sorting, labeling, and possibly shrink wrapping items before delivering them to any of the three collection sites. All donations are appreciated!

Barnesville Church of the Nazarene will be a local drop off point for those who want to send items to areas affected by Hurricane Michael. The District Office for the Church of the Nazarene located at 50 Lincoln Road Suite B in McDonough, GA 30253 is the second and the third is Adrian Camp and Conference Center located at 37 Meeks Road in Adrian, GA 31002. Donations can be placed under the covered area at Barnesville Church of the Nazarene.

Closing

Keep an eye on the Facebook page of Barnesville Church of the Nazarene for updates as well as Pike County Times for other ways that you can help including being part of an upcoming Disaster Response Team. [Note from the Editor: I attend Barnesville Church of the Nazarene so I am more than happy to work with Pastor Kevin and help get this information out to the community.]

You don’t have to be a member of our church (or any church at all) to help out those who have been affected by Hurricane Michael. Thank you for reaching out to those who are living in the aftermath of this hurricane.

10.11.18
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Photo courtesy of Donalsonville Church of the Nazarene.

Photo courtesy of Donalsonville Church of the Nazarene.
 

Photo courtesy of Donalsonville Church of the Nazarene.