Valdosta is grappling with severe destruction following a direct hit from Hurricane Helene late last week, leaving the city in disarray. Streets are lined with pitch-black businesses, traffic signals remain down, and residents are contending with widespread power outages as recovery efforts continue.

Thousands of residents in Lowndes County, including those in Valdosta, remain without electricity, with the timeline for restoration still uncertain. Governor Brian Kemp, who visited the area Saturday, reported that more than half a million customers across the state are experiencing outages, and repairs may take days or even weeks.

Ronney Bythwood, 71, expressed concerns over the extensive damage after collecting supplies at the Lowndes County Civic Center. Reflecting on the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia last year, he anticipated the power would remain out for a much longer period this time. “This is like a war zone,” he said, noting that his home had been without electricity since the storm struck.

With resources dwindling, residents lined up at the Civic Center to receive essential items such as bottled water, food, ice, and tarps. For many, the pressing issue is the unknown duration of the outage, which is compounded by damaged infrastructure and limited access to resources like fuel for generators.

The storm’s reach extended well beyond Lowndes County, with state officials confirming 25 storm-related deaths across Georgia. In a news conference, Kemp described the hurricane as an unprecedented event, causing widespread damage throughout the state. He warned that the restoration of traffic signals and other critical infrastructure could take several days due to the sheer scale of the devastation.

As recovery efforts begin, residents are left assessing the damage to their homes and businesses, with many unsure of when their lives will return to normal.