Assessing the damage in Americus - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

March 2, 2007

Americus -- Business and homeowners in Americus have lots to clean up when daylight hits. That cleanup is sure to take days or even weeks, but some don't have anything to salvage at all.

The sounds of heavy tree removal could be heard all over Americus. "A lot of trees down, a lot of power lines, some damaged cars, a lot of damage on houses," said Mark Brown with Alexander Contracting.

Brown spent hours clearing roads for emergency crews to get in and out, this after the storm brought danger and left it. "That's the biggest thing. We don't want to get electrocuted," said Brown.

A shock to Zack Jourdan. He and his family just moved into their home three months ago. Now heavy damage is forcing them to move temporarily. "I think ours is one of the worst houses on this little block," said Jourdan.

The scene is the same all around Americus-- cars off the road, downed trees, hanging power lines and the same thoughts going through everyone's mind. "This is pretty tragic," said Steve Rogers.

Steve Rogers owns a couple of buildings along Lamar Street. They're now gone, along with a building that normally offers shelter to others. "Salvation Army is the next building down and it's completely destroyed," said Rogers.

Rogers is still in complete disbelief about the whole thing. "Absolute shock. It's unbelievable how much damage can be done in such a short amount of time," said Rogers.

(Above) Some of the devastation in Americus

Only time and light will reveal just how much damage was actually done. 

Some businesses destroyed along Lamar Street include Doctors Pharmacy Vital Care, South Georgia Orthopedics and First Franklin Financial.

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