NASHVILLE, Ga. (WALB) - Residents are picking up the pieces left behind by Hurricane Helene, shocked by the absolute destruction the storm caused.

Nashville and most parts of Berrien County were in Helene’s direct path. Almost no one in the city has power. Residents tell WALB that food, water, gas, and other resources are incredibly scarce.

“Our neighborhood itself is a disaster. We need all the prayers and all the support we can get out here. Because of all the damage, I would say between us and Valdosta; we really saw the worst of the storm. The eye wall went straight over us. Power is out, trees everywhere, roofs everywhere. It was a scary night for a lot of us. And we are just hoping that we can get everything back up and running here sometime soon,” said D Christi, a local business owner.

Residents have to travel miles from their homes to get food, water and gas. One Nashville native says that her 80-year-old grandmother suffers from COPD and needs oxygen around the clock. The family is spending $50 a day to keep a gas generator powered, and they’re unsure what they will do when they run out of gas.

People in Nashville were not expecting to get hit as hard as they did.

“I don’t think anyone was prepared to experience a hurricane like this. Not Valdosta, not Nashville; none of us. We had one business board up their windows. One. None of us thought that it was going to be this way. We have had hurricanes come in before saying they were going to hit so hard but then we just get a tropical storm,” said D Christi.

City officials say they are working diligently to assist Nashville residents in any way possible.

“I think the overall message to all of our citizens is that we are here for you and we are working hard around the clock to get debris cleared, get you the resources you need, get the power back on, and just know that we are here for you. We care for you. We are going to rebuild our city and come back stronger,” said Nashville City Manager, Hayden Hancock.

The Berrien County Chamber of Commerce is helping to organize volunteers if you are able to assist. You can contact them by calling (229) 686-5123.

Related Coverage: Recovery and relief efforts across South Georgia following Helene

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