LuAnn Mutzabaugh rode out Hurricane Matthew in the “tornado closet” of her Darien home. In Southside Savannah, Eric Riley turned to a “prayer corner” and asked God to spare his life.
Georgia's barrier islands — with their posh resorts, manicured golf courses and pricey restaurants — often draw much of the attention in the wake of devastating hurricanes like Matthew. Understandably, people want to know about the fate of their vacation homes, those cafes they love and the pristine beaches where they can let go and find peace. But storms like Matthew do not discriminate.
The hurricane also raked the mainland working-class communities along U.S. Route 17, which stretches from Riley's home in Savannah to Brunswick. The road, which served as the main route along the coast before I-95 opened in the 1970s, is dotted with aging houses, tiny churches and weathered seafood markets.
On Sunday, parts of it were submerged. Others were flanked by fallen trees and long strands of Spanish moss in the wake of the storm. Many along the route were still without power.
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