Hurricane Helene spared Franklin County

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Fla. ( WMBB ) – Several Franklin County evacuees didn’t think they’d have homes when they returned.

“We were getting ready for a really catastrophic event and a terrible, terrible storm,” Franklin County Sheriff A.J. Smith said.

To their surprise, the community looks like it was barely touched by the storm.

“We were thankful. We felt blessed that we made it through this one,” Smith said.

Smith said a few properties sustained minor damages. However, one family lost their home in a fire.

“A lady and her three sons are now homeless. We’re going to try to do some stuff to help them, maybe start a GoFundMe, something like that, because it’s just a really terrible thing,” Smith said.

The house fire is under investigation.

Another area already prone to flooding also got quite a bit of water. About a dozen homes in the Lanark Village community experienced different levels of flooding.

“This is ridiculous to let it go on and on without getting somebody help. Even if we get our own pumps, I don’t know what to do,” Lanark Village resident Jimmy Jenks said.

Smith also plans to assist with recovery efforts in Taylor County.

“During Hurricane Debbie, we went down there and cooked, took our cook trailer, and whatever he needs, we have saws and trucks and whatever we’re willing to go,” Smith said.

He also asks residents to be careful while returning home.

“Make sure that there’s no down power lines. If you see a tree down across the line, don’t mess with it. Call us, and we’ll make sure the power company gets out there. Don’t take it in your own hands to deal with it,” Smith said.

There were no injuries or deaths reported in Franklin County.

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