Hurricane Helene Cleanup in Richmond County Gets Help from Georgia DOT

Hurricane Helene cleanup continues across Georgia with additional help arriving today from the state's Department of Transportation.

All District 2 signal personnel were sent to Richmond County to help with cleanup efforts.

Crews began clearing debris today at the Georgia Welcome Center on I-20 near the South Carolina state line. They will also be traveling interstates and state routes across the district to move debris away from the edge of the road, allowing more room on the shoulder.

"As utility companies make progress restoring power across the area, Georgia DOT crews are returning to sites where debris has been wrapped up in power lines. Because of safety, we must wait for the utility company to respond before handling the debris," according to a news release from Georgia DOT.

Work is underway on State Route 296 in Jefferson County between Warrior Trail and United States 1/United States 221, which remains closed because of a road washout.

Officials estimated it should take less than a week for the contractor to finish repairing the route.

Many traffic lights across the district are still not operating due to power loss. When you see a non-operational traffic light, Georgia law requires you to treat it like a stop sign. "First come, first go," according to GDOT.

GDOT officials also ask Georgians to continue limiting all non-essential travel to help crews perform their jobs as safely as possible.