In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastation across the southeastern United States, the Gwinnett County Salvation Army dispatched relief efforts in Valdosta, Georgia, one of the areas hit hardest by the storm. Led by Captain Kent Rynerson, the team has been working tirelessly to provide meals and support to residents and cleanup crews in the region.
Since arriving in Valdosta last Saturday, the Salvation Army team has served over 19,000 meals to those impacted by the storm. The group of 27 volunteers, many of whom are from Gwinnett County, faced power outages for 48 hours after arriving but remained committed to helping the community recover. As of Thursday morning, 8,000 households in the area were still without power, down from the 25,000 initially affected.
The damage caused by Hurricane Helene extends far beyond Valdosta. Reports of widespread destruction have come from across Georgia and neighboring states, where trees have been downed, power lines destroyed, and roads rendered impassable. Relief operations are also underway in Augusta, Savannah, and Alma, with additional Salvation Army teams dispatched to assist.
In communities like Dublin, Jesup, Fitzgerald, and Darien, newspapers have reported significant storm-related damage. Many areas are still dealing with power outages and blocked roads, while residents work to recover from the storm’s impact. Despite the extensive damage, efforts like those led by the Gwinnett Salvation Army are offering much-needed relief to the region.
