Multiple 1st Responders responding to Dam Road in Columbia

Matt Boster

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Posted by: Matt Boster
Date: Apr 24 2021 1:02 PM

HOUSTON COUNTY: Multiple Houston County Volunteer fire units are responding to Dam Road where multiple trees are down across the road and have people trapped where they can’t get out due to the tress. EMA Director Chris Judah is on the scene and coordinating the resources to where they need to go. 

These men and women are out in this weather seeing after others and not at home with their families where it is safe. 

Below are photos of the damage on Dam Road.

UPDATED @ 1:07 PM.   

Columbia Fire - EMS and Gordon Fire are the first units on the scene. Columbia is under the command of EMS Chief Daniel Forrester and Gordon under the command of Gordon Fire Chief Justin McAllister. There are about 40 trees down between the fire units and the people who were at the dam.

Columbia had requested Houston County Road and Bridge to bring some heavy equipment. The reply was they would not be responding. Columbia responded “tell them to enjoy their Saturday”. 

Dothan-Houston County Emergency Management Director Chris Judah contacted Webb Fire Chief Jamar Ivey and Webb Fire was responding with a loader. Judah contacted Houston County Engineer Barkley Kirkland. The situation was explained and Houston County Road and Bridge is responding.

Dam Road is a federal road belonging to the United States Corp of Engineers. What makes this different is people are trapped and their vehicles are tapped.

The VOLUNTEERS from Columbia, Gordon and Webb are in the rain with chain saws cutting the trees, 40 plus, so the equipment can push them out of the way.

Houston County Sheriff Chief Deputy Jeff Carlisle was on the scene. Houston County Commissioner D-2 Doug Sinquefield has been out. Houston County Commissioner D-1 Curtis Harvey has called inquiring what is needed.

At 1:18 PM Dothan-Houston County Emergency Management Director Chris Judah came over the radio and announced look out for heavy rain and lightning. Judah urged to use caution.

At 1:25 PM Houston County Sheriff 911 Dispatcher Haisten Murphy announce tornado warning in Geneva County. Tornado over Covington and Geneva County moving north - northeast at this time.

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