AC repair inStatesboro, GA

Georgia Southern University confirmed all campuses are closed and classes are canceled Monday and Tuesday following the powerful impact of Hurricane Helene.

“All Georgia Southern campuses are closed through Tuesday, October 1. Only essential personnel should be on campus during this time.” To view the entire Eagle Alert click here.

Helene left fallen trees, broken traffic lights, downed power poles and debris in its path through Statesboro. The storm caused widespread power outages and water shortages across the community. Students reported waiting in long lines for hours at gas stations, with some stations even running out of fuel.

Thousands of people in Bulloch and Chatham County have been facing power outages and are without water sources since the early hours of the storm last Friday. As of Sept. 29, over 18,000 individuals are still without power in Bulloch County and over 60,000 individuals are still without power in Chatham County, according to Find Energy.

There is also a boil-water advisory in effect for some areas in Bulloch and Chatham County, according to Water Utility Management.

We spoke to a few Georgia Southern students who shared their experiences of Helene’s impact over the past few days.

Gallery: Hurricane Helene Aftermath

Resources Available to the Community

As Statesboro recovers, many local facilities have opened their doors to provide drinking water and a place to shower.

According to Grice Connect, Pittman Park Church, City of Statesboro Maintenance Facility and Bulloch County Ag Arena are open to the public to get drinking water – for more details click here.

Statesboro-Bulloch Chamber of Commerce, Statesboro YMCA, Pittman Park UMC and Splash in the Boro are offering places to shower and charge devices, find more details here.

For the latest updates on power outages in your area use these interactive maps below. To view an estimated restoration date, click on the specific outage in your area.

Bulloch County

Chatham County

Any updates on road closures can be found using the Bulloch Public Works map here.

Georgia Southern Emergency Contacts Public Safety

Counseling Center

Health Services

Environmental Health & Safety

A powerful Hurricane Helene swept through Bulloch County overnight, leaving thousands of residents without power and causing widespread damage, including downed trees, blocked roads, and property destruction. Local authorities are urging citizens to stay indoors and check on elderly neighbors as crews work to assess and clear the damage.

DeWayne Grice

Listen to this article 00:03:19

Bulloch County and surrounding areas are waking up to widespread storm damage, with thousands of citizens without power, homes and roads blocked by fallen trees, and debris scattered across properties. The storm, which also left over 1.2 million people in Florida and more than 700,000 in Georgia without power, has caused significant disruption.

Bulloch County EMA Director Corey Kemp is urging residents to check in on neighbors and family members, especially the elderly, as the community begins recovery efforts. At this time no significant injuries have been reported.

Kemp said they have received a significant amount of calls from citizens with tree on or in their homes. He estimates well over 100 trees are down currently, many obstructing roadways and impacting power lines.

In addition there are downed traffic signals in the city and many traffic signals are not working due to power outages. There are numerous roads that are currently impassable. Sheriff Noel Brown is advising residents to remain sheltered this Friday morning until crews can clear the roadways.

Excelsior EMC is currently experiencing widespread outages, with just under 20,000 members out of power—this is about 80% of their system. Please be aware that this number may increase over the course of the day as the storm continues to affect our area.

The damage to their system is severe, and restoration will be a significant effort for their team, as well as those assisting us from other areas. They are working diligently to assess the damage so restoration can be as efficient as possible.

Cick here to view Excelsior EMC's Facebook page. They will be continuing to update this page with the latest information. They are asking for patience and understanding during this challenging time.

Click here for the latest power outage updates.

Overnight, Bulloch County faced sustained tropical storm-force winds exceeding 30 mph, with gusts reaching over 50 mph, coupled with relentless rain. These conditions have caused extensive tree damage across the county.

Click here for the updated weather forecast from the National Weather Service (NWS) in Charleston.

For several hours during the peak of the storm, Public Safety paused operations due to high winds and hazardous road conditions.

Public Works crews from the City of Statesboro and Bulloch County are prepared to begin clearing roads at first light. As of 6:00 a.m., the worst of the storm has passed, and rain is expected to taper off by 8:00 a.m. However, winds may continue throughout the day.

Grice Connect has compiled a resource guide to help residents track power outages and stay informed on other storm-related developments.

Additionally, Bulloch County Public Works has created an interactive map to show road closures. If you need to report downed trees, flooded roads, or other storm-related emergencies, please contact Public Works at 912-764-6369 during business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

House Hunters, a popular HGTV show, chose Dr. Ijeoma Nnanabu and Dr. Uchechukwu Ezeigwe, a local married couple, as well as Realtor Nikki Williams to appear on the latest episode during the search for the couple's Statesboro dream home. The episode airs Thursday evening, September 19, at 10:00pm on HGTV.

Listen to this article 00:04:19

Dr. Ijeoma Nnanabu and Dr. Uchechukwu Ezeigwe have found their dream home in the bustling, beautiful town of Statesboro with the help of Nikki Williams, an associate broker and Realtor with Statesboro Real Estate. This would have been a commonplace transaction had it not been for the accompaniment of Home and Garden Television, more popularly known as HGTV.

The cable network chose to feature this house search on House Hunters, a show that highlights the buyers, their Realtor, and the prospective town or city they will eventually call home. Their episode will air on Thursday, September 19, 2024 at 10pm EST.

Drs. Ezeigwe and Nnanabu, married for two years, moved to Statesboro, GA, in the summer of 2023 with their toddler. They rented over the last year as they took time to get to know the area and decide what they wanted in their new abode.

Ezeigwe was born in a small town in Nigeria. He moved to Michigan, where he completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. He went to medical school at Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, where he met his wife, Dr. Nnanabu. After completing four years of medical school, he moved to Atlanta with his wife and son to complete his residency. Dr. Ezeigwe, along with his wife, accepted an attending position at EGRMC.

"Their staff and leadership demonstrated exceptional commitment to patient care and community engagement," Ezeigwe says of his employer. "Among other places, we chose Statesboro because we felt at home here, having both grown up in small towns."

Nnanabu was born and raised in a college town in Michigan very similar to Statesboro. She completed her undergraduate studies at Michigan State University and her medical degree at MSU College of Human Medicine, where she met Ezeigwe during medical school orientation. After completing medical school, they couple-matched in internal medicine residency at Morehouse School of Medicine where they trained at both Grady Memorial Hospital & Atlanta VA Medical Center.

"After working for three years in a major metropolitan area, we were looking for a slower pace of life, a small town we could lay down roots and be active members of the community," Nnanabu said. "It was also important for us to live in an area where we could raise our young son."

Williams has been in the real estate business since 2007. She is passionate about matching clients with the place they will come home to every day and make memories.

"As an associate broker with Statesboro Real Estate and Investments, I work with both buyers and sellers to help navigate the complexities of the market. My passion is assisting first-time home buyers, such as Dr. Ezeigwe and Dr. Nnanabu, as I love helping people start their journey into home ownership, especially as their families grow," she says. "I also work with many military veterans within our community, and I take great pride in working with veterans. Supporting them is one small way I can give back for the sacrifices they have made, or continue to make, for our country."

When asked what effect the global reach Thursday's show will have on our small town, Williams feels it will allow Statesboro to shine.

"I think the impact House Hunters will have on our local Statesboro market will be a memorable one. It will show national viewers how wonderful our little town is and the hospitality we embrace and share with others here," Williams says. "It will also help future buyers realize the importance of hiring an experienced Realtor to guide them through the process to achieve a smooth and quick transaction."

All three participants have thoroughly enjoyed their experience with HGTV, as well as the home buying process, and are excited about the upcoming episode. Although there's only so much they can share about experience before the show airs, it's safe to say everyone is excited for the debut.

"Since announcing our debut on social media, we have had several congratulations, and many locals and non-locals excited and eager to watch the episode Thursday evening at 10 pm," Nnanabu says.

Tune in to HGTV for the episode, or stream it on discovery+ or Max. See the full schedule here.

Statesboro's newest restaurant, Blaze Pizza, will open on Tuesday, November 5. Owned and operated by Bulloch natives Grant and L.B. Watkins and business partner Pete Kelly, the restaurant will offer each customer a free 11" pizza on opening day, with other highlights including Rolling Monkey ice cream and music by Brent Stephens.

Listen to this article 00:03:07

Blaze Pizza, the recognized leader in fast-casual artisanal pizza, has announced the grand opening of its newest location at 301 Tormenta Way, behind Publix in Statesboro, Georgia. To celebrate the grand opening on November 5th, all in-store guests will receive a free 11” signature or build-your-own pizza from 10:30am – 10:00pm.

Along with free pizzas all day, guests can enjoy live music from local artist Brent Stephens, Rolling Monkey ice cream, and a chance to spin Blaze’s wheel of fire to win prizes, swag, or free pizza for an entire year.

The new Statesboro restaurant at 301 Tormenta Way is proudly owned and operated by KW Restaurant Group, led by local entrepreneurs Grant and L.B. Watkins, alongside their business partner and long-term friend, Pete Kelly. For Grant and L.B., both born and raised in Statesboro, this location holds special significance as a deeply personal project.

KW Restaurant Group owns other Blaze Pizzas in Valdosta and Brunswick, along with Shane’s Rib Shack in Brunswick and Statesboro. They are also looking to develop another Blaze Pizza in Southeast Georgia in the coming year.

“My brother and I share wonderful childhood memories of growing up in Statesboro, and we can’t wait to serve our hometown some of the best pizza they’ve ever had,” said Grant, co-owner of the Statesboro Blaze restaurant. “We’re looking forward to celebrating this new restaurant with a free pizza day and providing local families with a delicious and affordable dining option for years to come.”

At Blaze, guests can customize their pizza with over 45 ingredients, including options like roasted garlic, artichokes, hand-torn basil, classic pepperoni, Italian sausage, and even a no-extra-cost plant-based chorizo. Blaze’s dedication to using high-quality ingredients ensures that every pizza is crafted to perfectly satisfy each guest's unique cravings.

For the full list of Blaze Pizza locations and menu offerings, guests can visit blazepizza.com or download the company’s mobile app.

About Blaze Pizza

Founded in 2011, Blaze Pizza is the nation's leading fast-casual pizza franchise concept with more than 300 restaurants across 38 states and three countries. Headquartered in Atlanta, GA, Blaze Pizza is committed to delivering a one-of-a-kind customer experience and unparalleled high-quality products.

Known for its savory artisanal pizzas and customizable made-to-order menu, Blaze leads the industry in menu innovation and product excellence. The rapidly growing franchise has received numerous accolades including Entrepreneur's Franchise 500, as well as #1 spots on Fast Casual's Top 100 Movers and Shakers and Franchise Times' Fast and Serious list.

Visit blazepizza.com for additional information and stay connected @BlazePizza.