WAYCROSS, Ga. – Residents in Waycross are coming together to recover from Hurricane Helene.
RELATED: Schools to remain closed across Southeast Georgia after Hurricane Helene
Thousands of people are still without power in Waycross as trees and power lines lie across roadways.
Orange cones block off small intersections that still have damage.
Businesses like Walmart and a few gas stations are back open, but the city is hoping to have more resources.
“We want the people to be able to come out and enjoy themselves, and don’t have to travel from city to city to try to find something to eat,” Commissioner Sheinita Bennett said.
They’re doing that by allowing food vendors to set up around the city to provide food to the community.
Shonaira Heard said she was thankful for the vendors to come to the city.
“I personally don’t have power or have water, and I don’t know how to barbecue grill, and so this works out perfect for me, and then not priced gouging,” Heard said.
Heard is staying positive despite not having power or water.
“At first I was very sad, but now I am so grateful I don’t have a tree in my house,” Heard said. “I still have a roof over my head, whether or not it’s water coming to my house so I am grateful for that, and I’m grateful that the community is pulling together to do what we need to do to survive.”
Residents are trying to put the storm behind them.
“We’re asking people to be patient be understand because this is one of those storms that comes every 10 to 15 years but be patient we’re getting there,” Commissioner Alvin Nelson said.
Commissioners are encouraging any local or out-of-state vendors to come set up at Big Tanner Field. No permits or fees are required.
“It’s been hard, but we’re all pulling together, and we’re just trying to make everything work,” Commissioner Sheinita Bennett said.
One resident said that they’ve come together like a family.
“That’s what its all about,” Ruth McCoy said. “We’ve called each other, you see the little bitty crowd, but we don’t and come, and we go and come and we enjoy each other through it all.”
They just want people to come out and help the Waycross community.
“Let’s stay encouraged, everything is going to work,” Bennett said. “We have to think positive, let’s take this negative and turn to something positive and watch Waycross grow from this and we will come back on top.”
City officials said Red Cross is expected to be in Waycross later in the week to provide ice for the residents.