CSRA’s small towns have big storm damage – and bigger hearts
HILTONIA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Idalia has moved on, but trees and power lines are still down, and the damage is very visible.
After the tropical storm moved through the region Wednesday, its damage lingers, especially in the southern CSRA – in places like Hiltoinia.
The Screven County town of 421 residents is a place with no red light, although it does have caution lights.
On Thursday, a tree and power lines were still down outside a home where they came crashing down Wednesday.
No one was inside the home, which neighbors believe is vacant.
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The neighbors next door and across the street didn’t see it happen, but they heard it.
Deanna Jenkins lives a couple of houses down and was on her porch when she heard it happen.
“I thought it was like a tree limb,” said Jenkins. “It was like boom.”
The porch is where she spent most of the storm, just casually watching it .
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She wasn’t too scared, even in a county where there was a tornado warning on Wednesday.
She recalled the scene from the movie “Twister” where the characters tied themselves down with belts to keep from being carried away by a tornado.
“Well, I have a lot of belts inside my house,” she said.
Hiltonia is the kind of place where you can find plenty of help if you need it.
On Wednesday, neighbors were walking around checking on each other.
About five people came up to a two-member News 12 crew asking if they were OK.
It’s a small town and there’s some big damage to clean up, but the people of Hiltonia are all alive, safe, and thankful.
“Usually these small towns don’t have too much to deal with,” said Terrence Hannah, who lives nearby. “I’m just glad nothing exploded.”
There was no one inside the house when the tree fell.
“Actually, they just moved out and it’s a coincidence,” said Hannah. “As soon as they move out, that’s when the storm came and hit this. So, it’s a blessing.”
“We are blessed,” said Vanessa Dixon. “Luck has nothing to do with it.”
It is luck to have a neighbor to check on.
“I always have my door open to whoever it is,” said Dixon. “I always say my door open if anybody needs to come to my house. My door is always open.”
Keeping the doors open and checking on neighbors is how the town works.
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