Savannah resident says minimal storm damage, cleanup on Wilmington Island is 'lucky'

On a cool Thursday morning after Tropical Storm Idalia made its way through Georgia, Jason Pilgrim is dragging a Spanish moss-covered tree branch off of Walthour Road on Wilmington Island.

Pilgrim, who lives on Walthour Road, is one of many Savannah residents who woke up early to clean the streets.

“This is lucky, and really easy to clean up compared to Matthew,” Pilgrim said.

Although Savannah mostly dodged major damage, Pilgrim is one of many residents who experienced power outages. Pilgrim’s power shut off at 11 a.m. Wednesday, turned back on for two hours, before cutting off again until 3:30 a.m. Thursday.

According to an email from Georgia Power’s Media Relations Manager, John Kraft, Georgia Power has restored service for 170,000 across the state as of Thursday morning.

The City of Savannah's Park and Tree Department said at least 30 trees had fallen during the storm.

Idalia updates: At least 30 trees in Savannah fell during Idalia. City is working to clear them

Idalia damage live updates in Savannah, Ga. area: Some trees, power lines downed during storm

Jason’s son Grant and his Benedictine High School peers were also out cleaning up the neighborhood.

“We’re just going around helping people,” said Grant Pilgrim.

“I had a pole in my neighborhood snap in half,” said Pilgrim’s friend, Sam LeCates, who lost power at his residence from 4-11:30 p.m.

Grant Pilgrim and LeCates plan on going to clean up another friend’s neighborhood, then make a few more stops.

“We’ve gonna go to my neighbor’s house because she’s a single mom, so we thought we’d help her out,” said LeCates.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Hurricane Idalia impact on Savannah: Residents clean up after storm