Businesses back up after power outages

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) – Just as restaurants and businesses across Savannah were beginning to recover after regaining power following several days of outages, disaster struck Carey Hilliard’s on Abercorn Street.

Friday afternoon the restaurant had a packed house until a fire left the establishment in the dark once again.

Staff members and crews had to evacuate the building completely during their dinner rush due to a fire that started outside near a power line close to their building.

Mi’Quan Green is a neighbor of the restaurant and says that he is hoping the damage isn’t too serious.

“I heard the commotion of all of the firetrucks coming into the area, and I then realized that there was some type of fire at Carrie Hilliard as is our neighbor. We don’t know the extent of what happened, but we are certainly praying for them,” said Green.

Savannah‘s fire department confirmed that there was a fire at the weather-head just above the restaurant, and that throughout the night, crews were taking precautions in case the fire spread to the building below.

While the immediate future of this restaurant is still under question; they are not the only business that is feeling the pains of those power outages.

Driftaway in Sandfly said that yesterday was their first day officially back after the power outages but the days leading up to it were difficult.

Co-owner Robyn Quattlebaum estimated that his business had to throw around $15,000 worth of inventory as a result.

“I mean when you are throwing away, big premium scallops and slabs of salmon and chunks of tuna that are as big as your thigh, you want to keep it on ice, and keep it cold,” Quattlebaum said. “But when the ice machine is running out of ice and the power isn’t turning back on you don’t have much of a choice but to throw it out.”

Driftaway and other restaurants across Savannah look forward to being able to serve customers again this weekend.

But the condition of Carey Hilliard’s is still pending.

The last update WTOC has was that according to a manager at the restaurant, they do intend to open up on Saturday Oct. 5, 2024, at 11 a.m.

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