Cell, power outages widespread

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)-Communities throughout Southeast Georgia have gone off the grid, as power and cell service outages are widespread.

“You get into 24 hours with no power and it really starts to play with your head,” said Becky Ganall, a homeowner on Tybee Island.

“We have no refrigerator so everything we got went bad and had to go to the trash,” said Ganall.

Ice and water are some of the main purchases at the grocery store on Whitemarsh Island. Residents tell News 3 they’re worried about their deep freezers and fridges.

“The economy the way it is, you buy the meat when it’s discounted and you put it in your freezer, you have a thousand dollars’ worth of meat and now it’s all gone bad,” said Whitemarsh resident Vincent Hogan. “Kind of got shot in the foot on that one.”

The Georgia Department of Public Health said that if your freezer has been down for over 48 hours, you need to throw everything away. Resident Vincent Hogan said the outage is disrupting his normal routines.

“Things could be worse, but the inconvenience is the main factor,” said Hogan. “Kids staying home from school and not being able to do the things you normally do, like, today is football Saturday and I’m not going to be able to watch football anywhere because the power’s out.”

Power outages have forced many busy intersections into four-way stops. Residents tell me it’s become more dangerous to get around, and that, coupled with long lines at the few gas stations that actually have power, Ganall said that she’s trying to stay put.

“I don’t think it’s very safe because everybody doesn’t know what to do so if you don’t have to go out I would sit tight a little longer,” said Ganall.

As much of our area is battling power outages, power companies have been bringing in reinforcements to get South Georgia back online.

You can find your company and track power outages from the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry on WSAV’s website.