LOWNDES COUNTY, Ga. — Daylight in Lowndes County revealed the depth of Hurricane Helene's power throughout the state.
Terrifying winds of 100 mph ripped off roofs, mangled metal and tore up signs -- with the storm's impact being felt for miles.
A hotel owner, Mukesh Patel, decided to ride out the storm and heard a loud noise, which later revealed itself as a fallen highway sign.
"It was just very windy, and we kept hearing things flying by, like ten, and I know the fence behind us was just tore up," Patel said. "It's just devastating."
Another person, Donna Treadaway, had evacuated to a hotel and returned to destruction.
"As I went to turn into our road, it was a big tree across the road. (I) couldn't get to the house," Treadaway recalled.
Sylvester Warren also evacuated to a hotel and saw about eight or nine trees on top of cars at the Baymont.
Helene in Valdosta | PHOTOS
Hours earlier, wicked winds blew transformers and left the county without power. 11Alive was there when the wind whipped through Valdosta and Lowndes County while the community got hammered and pounded by rain.
"The wind was like a freight train," Treadaway recalled.
Gov. Brian Kemp directed emergency response crews to the hardest-hit areas. He said they identified 115 structures in Valdosta that were heavily damaged and had multiple people trapped inside.
"Hopefully everybody's OK," Treadaway said.
According to the governor's office, at least 15 people have died in the state due to causes related to Helene.
As officials continue to assess the devastation Helene has left behind, they know it'll take weeks -- if not months to recover.
But amid despair and destruction, the community will unite, taking one step — one day at a time — to recover and rebuild Lowndes County.
Re-watch the moments Hurricane Helene hit Valdosta and Lowndes County:
