Originally posted 2:25 p.m. Jan. 9, 2024

Updated 3:15 p.m. Jan. 9, 2024

VALDOSTA — A burst of harsh weather left thousands without power in Lowndes County Tuesday, but that was about the extent of the trouble, authorities said.

No injuries or fatalities were reported in the county as a result of the line of heavy thunderstorms, said Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk.

“Just a few trees down across the county,” he said.

Likewise, the city of Valdosta saw no injuries or fatalities, a Valdosta Police Department statement said.

Lowndes County Public Information Officer Meghan Barwick said in a brief phone call that the county urges all residents to use caution if they drive within the area.

Residents should never touch or go near a downed power line.

Several traffic lights are reported out across the county. Drivers must treat those intersections as a four-way stop.

Barwick said there are no road closures or damage reported. The majority of the storm impact resulted in power outages and several fallen trees.

As of 2:30 p.m., Colquitt EMC, the electric provider for much of rural Lowndes County, had more than 7,800 customers without power, the company’s tracking map showed.

Following Hurricane Idalia, when much of the county was without power for a week, Colquitt EMC put plans in place for power restoration, a company statement said. The firm is bringing in 110 extra contract workers to assist staff with getting the lights back on, the statement said.

Georgia Power reported around 2,000 customers without power in Lowndes County.

Forecasters had feared that winds as high as 70 mph might hit South Georgia Tuesday. National Weather Service records show that the strongest gust in Valdosta Tuesday was 43 mph.

The shelter at Park Avenue Church has closed.