VALDOSTA, Ga. — South Georgia is ramping up recovery and rescue efforts in the wake of Helene's aftermath.
Gov. Brian Kemp announced Friday in a midday update that there are multiple structures around the state where people are trapped and rescuers are trying to reach them. Kemp said in Valdosta they've identified 115 structures that are heavily damaged with several people trapped inside.
South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta is also without power after an outage and a tree fell on the facility's emergency generator, the governor said.
Valdosta is among one of Georgia's hardest hit areas as hurricane-force winds barreled through south Georgia. The eyewall churned over the Peach State city, which is less than two hours away from where Helene made landfall in Perry, Florida as a Category 4 hurricane. Valdosta experienced the dirty-side of the storm, which packs powerful wind gusts and intense winds.
Helene in Valdosta | PHOTOS
At least 11 deaths are being blamed on the storm, according to the governor, including a Georgia firefighter.
A part time assistant fire chief in Blackshear, Georgia was killed when a tree fell on his vehicle during Tropical Storm Helene Friday morning, officials confirmed with 11Alive's sister station, First Coast News.
Vernon "Leon" Davis had been a firefighter for over 30 years, the department said.
Kemp announced early Friday morning that two people died in Wheeler County. The county's coroner said the pair were killed when a suspected tornado blew through the area in Middle Georgia, overturning their mobile home. They were found about 100 yards from their home, according to Wheeler County EMA.
Kemp did not offer any other details on the deceased.