Local residents dropped off enough for Cedartown Fire & Rescue to fill up one trailer with supplies for Jefferson County, and now they have another to add to what is being sent southward to help with Hurricane Helene relief efforts.

The semi-load of everything from bottled water to cleaning supplies and more was closed up and a truck was brought in to carry it southward on Friday afternoon, delivering a new trailer as well.

Firefighters began collecting supplies earlier in the week in the wake of Hurricane Helene, which has left hundreds of thousands with damaged property and so far claimed the lives of at least 200 people. Along with the impact on Florida’s Big Bend, multiple counties in the path of the storm in South, East and North Georgia suffered damage as weather moved inland.

Western North Carolina was among the hardest hit areas due to heavy flooding, some areas receiving 1,000 year-storm level waters rushing through streams and rivers and washing away whole communities in the process.

The first trailer load went to Jefferson County, Georgia, where relief efforts are underway. Local firefighters and EMA officials also deployed to Jeff Davis County and Treutlen County to provide help to those areas.

Those who want to provide supplies such as bottled water, non-perishable food items, cleaning supplies, tarps and other items useful in relief efforts can stop by and make a drop off while officials are on site on Philpot Street next to the trailer, call Fire Chief Kyle Watters at 770-853-1793, or ring the doorbell at the fire hall.

Rockmart firefighters have also been helping out in the efforts in collecting supplies, along with other local businesses like Sanity Coffee Co. and Rockin’ Rooster & Happy Hen.