BLACKSHEAR, Ga. – Tropical Storm Debby has caused widespread flooding in Southeast Georgia and in Pierce County, floodwaters washed out a vital road.
A big chunk of College Avenue in Blackshear is no longer passable after heavy rain swept it away.
The Latest: Tropical Storm Debby churns across the US Southeast
One resident told News4JAX on Tuesday the road is the only way in and out of the Blue Lake neighborhood and more than 100 residents are now stranded.
Crews expect a temporary fix for the washed-out road will be completed by the end of Tuesday.
Carl Sutton said he’s lived in the Blue Lake subdivision for 40 years. He was one of those stuck on the other side of the road.
“Well, sometimes it’s kind of fun because you get to try to jump across. But other times it’s kind of rough, because I run a business, and I got people wanting me to go and I had to tell them I cannot go,” he said.
Resident Kassi Bowen said she’s glad her family stocked up on the essentials ahead of the storm.
“We were just really worried about losing power. The road was never a concern to us. So when we found that out, we were like, well, at least we have food, at least we have water, but not for days,” she said.
She’s also concerned about the access first responders’ have to her community in the event of an emergency.
On Tuesday, News4JAX saw people climbing through the washed-out roadway to deliver medicine.
“I posted on Facebook they needed some insulin, so I went and picked it up for them,” said Christopher Lashley.
With neighbors helping on the ground, crews from the county and the state have also swooped in to begin repairs.
As for the residents, they’re hanging in there.
“The country store’s a mile up the road, and we’re all out of beer!” one resident said.
A spokesperson with Georgia Emergency Management said there is no word yet on a timeline for a more permanent fix.