Dear Editor:

Thank you, Cordele Dispatch, for allowing me this opportunity to praise the Dooly County emergency workers, Unadilla Fire and Rescue, and Dooly County EMS.

Recently, my daughter, four grandchildren and I were traveling south down I-75 through Dooly County when we were caught in a flash flood. After our van hydroplaned twice in less than a minute, we prayed for an exit.

God provided, and we pulled safely off the road in Unadilla. Don Shugart with Unadilla Fire and Rescue came to our aid and when he discovered we had 5-month old twins and two other children on board, he asked if we would like to come wait out the flooded road conditions at the local Fire House instead of in the van.

We gladly accepted. I-75 was now closed—all four lanes both north and south—above and below Unadilla. Several streets in Unadilla were closed due to flooding and some could not even return to their homes.

The safety of other roads was in question, due to the more than 6 inches of rain that had fallen in a short period of time.

Don Shugart and EMTs Tommy, Chip, Jeff, and Don were most helpful and made us feel welcome at the local Fire House—our shelter from the storm. Their help also included assistance in the repair of a flat tire on our van the next morning.

We also received help from Richard and Lea Hall, friends from Dooly County. With men and women like these, eager and ready to help—24 hours a day—there is no need to fear trouble.

Our Guardian Angels were working overtime to keep us safe and then God sent Angels in the form of Dooly County emergency workers to meet our needs, with four children, until we could safely travel on home to Cordele.

Thank you, Lord, for your blessings on us and please bless all emergency workers, better known as “Heroes” in our book, especially those in Unadilla, as they do their jobs and go “above and beyond” the call of duty to protect those you place in their paths.

In Christ’s love,

Kathryn Lunsford

Cordele