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Page 2A Saturday, July 9,1994 "Houston Tlmee-Journal v ‘ ;-***■ *%* * ■j H 111 l ,<> *. _ "'« ,f '« a ? Zof t*- | jt^ 4 * 4. * -. . ■ ™ • ~ t * u«»"™,^B n fcfr *•-%■ • a ’ililJ ■m»cw«r > ft3i Big Indian Creak turned Perry Into two cities on Wednesday and Thursday, as flood waters cut off traffic on Courtney Hodges Boulevard. Flood waters across Red Cross shelters gives aid to stranded By JIMMY SIMPSON Staff Writer Faced with broken roadways, crippled bridges and hungry children, tens of persons sought refuge here Wednesday after they were met with an unexpected roadblock due to mass flooding. Some 68 people flocked to a temporary shelter provided by the Middle Georgia chapter’s American Red Cross at the peorgia National Fairgrounds. Of those, 27 people were forced to seek overnight stays. “We had a lot of families come in that were able to find motels, but because of unexpected expenses, didn’t have enough money to feed their families,” said Red Cross Executive Director Sam Register. That crisis prompted officials and volunteers to seek food from local businesses and associations. Kroger, McDonalds, Waffle House, Colonial Baking Co., and the Rehoboth Baptist Association contributed many of those items. By about 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, food and beverages began to arrive for those short of funds. While some consumed hamburgers and hotdogs, others paced the floor frantically looking at maps for routes that could possibly get them to their destinations. One of those persons was Warner Robins resident Millie Sovine. She was heading home from a night shift at Lithonia Lighting in Cochran when she was forced to take an alternate route to Perry. “I’ve got an 18-month-old baby at home,” she said, as she sipped on a cup of coffee. “I’m planning on getting home any way I can, even if I have to get in a boat. But, realistically, I know I’m stuck..." Sovine did eventually get to her destination, although she was forced to leave her car behind. As of late Thursday, Red Cross ELECT BILLY HUNTER 1 - Honest, Fair, Impartial Government For All People |2 * Conservative For Your Tax Dollars 3 » Study County Roads and Water Systems And Will Strive To 4 x Will Work Hard To Bring More Industry into Your Community 5 - Strive to keep Warner Robins AFB Alive & Stable 6 - Work With Hospital Beard To Insure Our Medical Facilities Are Weyerhaeuser donated to Red Cross The Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation today announced the donation of $25,000 to the American Red Cross for disaster relief efforts in the Middle Georgia area. The donation was made at the request of Weyerhaeuser’s Flint River Operations located in Oglethorpe, Ga. volunteers were still manning the Fairgrounds building, described as “an excellent” facility for disaster relief. “We’ve (the Middle Georgia chapter of the ARC) got other shelters set up,” Register said early Thursday, “but this one (at the Fairgrounds) is unlike any other Citizens pitched in during flood to help city clear road By BRIGETTE LOUDERMILK Editor City workers have commended two citizens for helping out during the confusion and rain Tuesday night. According to Public Works Superintendent Hugh Sharp, Todd Bozeman and Clay Hughes called Perry City Hall Tuesday night to inform the staff a large pecan tree had fallen across Highway 341 S at Hill Road. Although the tree was down on a county road, Sharp knew the county was busy at Houston Lake dam. He went out and Bozeman and Hughes worked with him in the driving rain to remove the tree while people waited in their cars to pass. "I bet I talked to over a hundred interstate travellers stranded. We re- mg 7 : Wfj T km Interstate 75 meant that Perry residents could not get from South Perry to North Perry until late Thursday afternoon, when the Courtney Hodges was re-opened. Flint River Operations Interim Site Manager, Sam Hamilton, said, Cordele and Vienna, have all suffered severe damage from the flood. We hope this donation will furnish assistance in critical areas like food, water and temporary shelter--to help area residents take the First step toward recovery.” because of the space. It’s excellent” Register said that because of additional locations having to be manned in Oglethorpe, Vienna and Hawkinsville, as well as a second shelter at the Georgia National Guard Armory here, the Middle Georgia chapter is now very low on routed as many as we could. Some were frustrated but most were really helpful. Everyone wanted to see what was going on, but they moved out of the way and pitched in when help was needed. Also, the city workers did an outstanding job," Sharp said. Roads, from 1A it is logical to expect Abbeville will the next area to be faced with problems of flooding. Patrol representatives report that as water from the north flows south, roads in the area will open and close at different times of 'he day. Before travelling anywhere, be sure and check road conditions. funds. “I’m not ashamed to say that the Red Cross needs money, lots of it, and right now,” Register stated. “It’s not until something like this happens that people see how valuable the service can be in disastrous situations.” Anyone wanting to contribute to the fund can send their checks to “Disaster Relief Fund”, in care of the American Red Cross, 346 Corder Rd., Warner Robins GA, 31088. Any corporation wishing to make a donation can call 923-6332. A SPECIAL, HIGH RATE, 6 MONTHS CD ONLY AT CROSSROADS BANK! Term - 6 Months ANNUAL PERCENTAGE YIELD 5% • SI,OOO minimum opening deposit • Offer may be withdrawn without notice • Subject to early withdrawal penalties • SIOO,OOO maximum deposit Perry 1208 Washington St. 912-987-0011 Perry was 'cut in half when bridge flooded By BRIGETTE LOUDERMILK Editor "The most detrimental damage in the city was the flooding at Courtney Hodges bridge," according to Public Works Superintendent Hugh Sharp said Friday, adding that "we were very fortunate" in Perry. According to Sharp, areas in town that suffered damage and roads that had to be closed included Valley Drive Jbridge, Courtney Hodges bridge, Park Avenue, James Street and Houston Lake Road at Hart's Nursery had to be closed for a few hours Tuesday night. With Courtney Hodges Boulevard being a main artery in Perry, when it was closed several people were restricted to one side of town. The road closed at 6:20 a.m. Wednesday morning and was opened again just after 1 p.m. Thursday. "Normally, it wouldn't be that big of a problem, because there are roads outside of town people usu ally would be able to take. But, those roads were also closed and we had people restricted to either the north or south side of town," Sharp said. Sharp said the guard rails on the Dr. A.G. Hendricks Memorial Bridge on Courtney Hodges Boulevard were 30 inches high and that, at the highest point, water was four to six inches over the guard rails. He estimates that water rose to three feet over the roadway. Mayor James E. Worrall stayed at the bridge most of the day I i W:\ni To ISo Voiii* lVrsoaial Jourlcn* • 10K & 14K Gold Chains & Bracelets • Gold Earrings • Watches • Diamond Solitaires • Diamond Cocktail Rings §i§pr Perry Market Place 988-8252 Hours: Mon - Fri 10-7 Sat. 10-6 r^Ct2QS§DQ\DS WAbankot rWGEDDGIA Member FDIC YOUR LOCALLY OWNED COMMUNITY BANK Wednesday, since he was cut off from Perry City Hail. "I've never seen anything quite like it--especially the snakes and eels slithering out of the water and being scooped up in nets," Worrall said. According to Sharp, damage seems to be minimal at this point, but "we just won't know until the water goes down and we can inspect all the sewer lines." There are some concerns about a sewer line at Big Indian Creek which is suspended on stilts. Sharp feels this line may be damaged and will probably need some repairs. He also said that sometime be tween Thursday and Friday morning there was a sewer line break or a manhole lid washed off somewhere in town. "We’re getting some red, sandy water at the sewer plant, but it won't affect service," Sharp stated. Park Avenue may need extensive repairs. Sharp said the city would possibly install another pipe in that area. City crews will re-sandbag the North end of Bay Creek and some repairs will be made on the bridge on Valley Drive. Although water rose as high as six to eight inches on James Street, "it held up real well," according to Sharp. This road was currently un der construction, and Sharp was thankful that the work already put into the street was not ruined. • Tennis Bracelets • Slide Bracelets • Layaway with no service charge • Jewelry & Watch Repair Service Your Home For High Quality Jewelry at Low, Low Prices. Come See Us Today Warner Robins 106 South Houston Rd. 912-929-4145