By Colleen Knight
EBC Florida Bureau
BRUNSWICK, GA (Eagle News) – Hurricane Irma brought with it much destruction and damage, and while Brunswick and St Simons Island in Georgia did not receive a direct hit, the area saw its share of downed trees, inoperative utilities and historic flood levels.
Glynn County had issued a Mandatory Evacuation of the area on September 6, 2017. However, not all the citizens of Glynn County decided to evacuate. Some intentionally stayed behind to begin rebuilding the community as soon as the storm passed. One such citizen was Jason Hyde, managing partner of Brogen’s North on St Simons Island.
“I saw how local businesses like Halyard’s and Southern Soul were feeding the volunteers, workers, and general citizens who stayed behind for hurricane Matthew last year,” said Hyde. “I wanted to do the same thing this time.”
https://youtu.be/F15sB9MU0m8
When asked if he would stay behind again, Hyde stated that Irma was very intense, with power outages and loud winds, and that if a larger storm were to come through, he would opt to evacuate, but would obtain a first-responder’s pass so that he could immediately return to the area as soon as the storm passes. He wants to continue to contribute to those who do anything to help. He is particularly thankful to those who help anonymously. He says those types of people really inspire him to do more.
Stories have flooded social media of concerned citizens beginning cleanup even before the storm had completely passed. Citizens who stayed offered to drive by homes of those who had evacuated. They then posted videos and photos of neighborhoods onto social media to keep the evacuees informed on the status of their homes and neighborhoods. Community members began clearing roadways and homes as soon as the storm passed.
Facebook user Anna Cabeca DO had felt “overwhelmed” by the damages left behind by Irma. She made an appeal for help and came home to find that all the downed trees at her home had been miraculously cleared by anonymous heroes. She had been moved to tears by the kindness of her local community.
While local restaurants like Halyard’s, Southern Soul, Brogen’s North, and Nazzarro’s, provided free food to anyone who needed a warm meal, other restaurants that could not open, such as The Half Shell, donated food to contribute to the relief efforts. Other companies are taking donations, such as Mixed Nuts, a thrift store that is accepting clothing donations to help those who have lost everything.
They say that a person’s true character can be seen when troubles strike. If this is true, then truly the community members in Glynn County are kind and caring individuals who have donated their time, effort, and even finances to help those in need. Their efforts have been recognized and the recipients of that kindness would like to express their deepest gratitude.
(Eagle News)
