Late Saturday night storms barreled through Waycross, snapping power across multiple neighborhoods and turning some of the city’s busiest intersections into darkened guessing games. Drivers reported signals that were either out cold or stuck flashing, which forced police and public works crews to step in and manually direct traffic while workers cleared downed branches. Some residents stayed without electricity into the early morning hours, and officials warned motorists to slow down and treat every affected intersection with extra caution.
According to Action News Jax, video from downtown Waycross showed crews checking transformers and hauling off debris while officers rerouted cars around the dark signals. The station reported that responders worked through the night to get streets powered back up and to figure out how much electrical infrastructure had taken a hit. When that coverage aired, officials had not yet released a full count of customers who lost power.
Storm Reports And Conditions
The National Weather Service in Jacksonville logged scattered thunderstorms across southeast Georgia late Saturday, with strong gusts and lightning capable of snapping limbs and damaging power lines, according to NWS Jacksonville. Those conditions line up with what residents on the ground reported in and around Waycross, including fallen branches and pockets of structural damage. Forecasters said the line of storms moved through quickly, yet still packed enough wind to trigger utility interruptions in some neighborhoods.
Utilities And Restoration Work
Local electric providers and cooperatives generally start restoration by focusing on hospitals, emergency services and the major feeders that bring the largest number of customers back online first. The Okefenokee cooperative operates an outage center where members can report problems and track progress, with details available through the Okefenokee REMC site. Georgia Power explains that its statewide restoration approach begins with damage assessment and removing hazards before repair crews can safely get to work, per the Georgia Power Outage & Storm Center. City crews coordinated overnight with utility teams to clear intersections and reopen key routes as power came back.
How To Stay Safe
If you roll up on a dark or flashing traffic signal, Georgia driving rules say you should treat the intersection as if it had stop signs on every side and move through only when it is clearly safe, according to the Georgia Driver's Manual. Stay well away from any downed power lines, and do not try to touch or move anything that is in contact with them. If you spot a live wire on the ground, call 911. During power outages, avoid running generators indoors and check on vulnerable neighbors, especially people who depend on powered medical equipment.
Where To Get Updates
Residents looking for the latest word on outages and restoration timelines can monitor local utility outage maps and the cooperative’s outage center, then turn to coverage from Action News Jax for on-the-ground reporting. Utility and city social media channels are expected to post updates as damage assessments wrap up and repairs continue. Officials urged drivers to ease off the gas at darkened intersections and to report any hazards to local authorities so crews can tackle them quickly.
