3 confirmed deaths in Valdosta from Hurricane Helene

VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) – WALB has learned from Mayor Scott James Matheson that there have been three confirmed deaths in Valdosta due to Hurricane Helene.

Mayor Matheson said, “So there are three. For us there are three. And we suffered a lot more injuries than Idalia, a lot more injuries from the trees encroaching on roofs and houses.”

This information was shared with WALB during a tour of Valdosta where Mayor Matheson and Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff led him through various parts of the city affected by the storm.

Areas visited included I-75 Exit 18 to Gornto Road, Patterson Street and Big Nick Restaurant, where meals were served to first responders.

They also visited West Street, where Ossoff spoke to citizens about her experiences, and traveled through downtown Valdosta before stopping at the Second Harvest Food Bank of South Georgia, Inc., where they distributed meals to community members in need.

“I was here after Idalia and it is clear that the damage to homes is much more widespread. It will take a long time for us to recover from the effects of the storm. We know that people are feeling bad at the moment. “Now we have a longer power outage that could last several days,” says Ossoff.

“The purpose of this tour was to assess the damage caused by Hurricane Helene and determine the necessary actions to help our community rebuild… “We call Idalia a blessing,” said Mayor Matheson.

Senator Ossoff told WALB he plans to return everything he investigated Saturday to Congress in exchange for more federal aid.

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