Ben Hill County reports near‑complete power restoration, distributes supplies after Hurricane Helene

Ben Hill County officials reported widespread utility restoration, emergency aid distribution and ongoing cleanup after Hurricane Helene at the Oct. 8 commission meeting.

Building and Zoning Director and Emergency Management Agency Director Jake Hughes said the county and partners distributed multiple truckloads of water and supplies and that no storm‑related injuries were reported. "Three truck loads of water, one truck of MREs, several pallets of tarps and one truckload of food donated by Second Harvest were given out to the community," Hughes said. He added that additional tarps were sent to Douglas, Ga.

Hughes and other officials described localized infrastructure damage. He said Astor Road was closed after rainfall washed away a pipe and was expected to reopen within days. The county has two debris sites at the landfill with a third pending approval, and cleanup efforts were continuing.

Paul McIntrye of FWLB reported utility crews had restored about 95% of power service, noting replaced poles and roughly 30 transformers. "We sent six employees and material to help Douglas, Ga.," McIntrye said, and he thanked residents for their patience as out‑of‑town linemen assisted with repairs.

Hughes said some residences remain without power because of home damage that requires electricians rather than grid repairs. He also said road reopenings were expected across the county as crews finish repairs.

County Manager Michael Dinnerman praised the road department, E911, public works and utility partners for their response and said projects including work on Edward Road and the Road Department shop remain underway.

Officials said the county is continuing debris removal and damage assessments and urged residents with property damage to follow the county's guidance for debris disposal. The commission did not take further action at the meeting; cleanup and infrastructure repairs are ongoing.