Criminal Defense Attorney in Talahi Island, GA.

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TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. – Members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, and the Engineer Research and Development Center reported the findings from their ship wake study to the Tybee Island city council on Tybee Island, Ga. on Jan. 26, 2023.

Jared Lopes, water resources planner for the Savannah District, led the overview of the study before handing it over to Dr. Richard Styles, research oceanographer from the ERDC Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory, for a more detailed analysis. After the presentation, they fielded questions from Tybee Island Mayor Shirley Sessions and the six-member city council. Dr. Rachel Bain, research physical scientist also from the Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory, coauthored the study, but wasn’t present at the council meeting.

The study was set into motion amid concerns regarding the ongoing risk to beachgoers from vessel-generated wakes on Tybee Island’s northern shore, said Lopes. The goal of the study was to develop a better understanding of vessel traffic patterns and associated boat wakes generated by large commercial vessels.

“It was a rewarding experience being able to work closely with Dr. Bain and Dr. Styles from ERDC and the City of Tybee Island on this study,” said Lopes. “I was eager to present the final briefing at the Tybee City Council meeting, as the results of this study hold ample potential for helping mitigate the impacts of ship wake on the northern shore of Tybee Island.”

Vessel operations and environmental conditions were monitored between late July and early December 2021, where such factors as size, speed, type, and heading of each ship, the types of waves created by those ships, and tidal currents were observed.

The study findings discovered that the largest vessel wakes were generated from container ships and vehicle carriers, ships that traveled faster than 12 knots, and ships that were longer and wider than average. Other lesser influences included tidal currents, wind waves, and vessel direction.

“Despite the fact that wakes generated by commercial vessels tend to be larger than those created by wind, wind waves constitute a more considerable source of continuous energy for moving sediment in the area,” said Lopes. “This is because large vessels pass the beach infrequently, an average of 12 passages per day, whereas wind waves break on the beach continuously.”

Instruments used to record this data included the sensors mounted on U.S. Coast Guard navigation ranges, pressure sensors mounted below water, near-shore sensors, and information commercial vessels submitted to the Coast Guard’s Automated Information System.

The study concluded that the next steps should explore the best approaches of reducing vessel-generated wave impacts. Two options were suggested: Modify navigation conditions to reduce wave heights near the source; or reduce the height of the waves near the shoreline.

Several strategies were recommended to achieve those two suggestions, including reducing maximum ship speed, refurbish and extend the south jetty, install nearshore breakwaters, channel modifications, channel realignment, and active warning system. However, the study observed that those recommendations do not address the potentially substantial engineering requirements needed to implement those strategies.

The cost of the study was $350,000 and was split equally between the Corps and the City of Tybee Island, whose cost-share was supported by a Georgia Department of Community Affairs grant.

The 90-page study was published on Dec. 1, 2022, and can be read here: https://erdc-library.erdc.dren.mil/jspui/handle/11681/46140

Sen. Ossoff delivering new resources to construct a hurricane and tornado safe room on Tybee Island

Shelter will protect first responders & emergency personnel responding to hurricanes & other natural disasters

Last year, Sen. Ossoff passed bipartisan legislation into law to protect Tybee Island from storm surge & coastal flooding

Tybee Island, Ga. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is delivering public safety upgrades to keep Tybee Island residents safe.

Sen. Ossoff is delivering new resources through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to construct a new hurricane and tornado safe room on Tybee Island, providing a safe area for emergency personnel who must remain on the Island during hurricanes and other disaster situations.

The new safe room, which Sen. Ossoff secured with bipartisan support, will also serve as additional protective shelter for any residents who cannot evacuate safely in the time necessary. There are currently almost 800 Tybee Island residents living within half a mile of the new facility.

“After passing my Tybee Island Storm Risk Management Act into law last year, today I am delivering the resources to construct a hurricane and tornado safe room near the Tybee Island fire station,” Sen. Ossoff said. “I thank Mayor Shirley Sessions and Chatham County Chairman Chester Ellis for their leadership in helping secure this grant to save lives in Coastal Georgia.”

“We are so thankful and appreciative of Senator Ossoff’s continued support in helping Tybee’s resiliency efforts, including this recent funding to build a safe room for our first responders and residents,” Mayor Shirley Sessions said. “Because Tybee Island is a small, barrier island, with just one road on and off, this shelter will greatly increase our ability to save lives and respond to emergencies.”

“I would like to thank Senator Ossoff’s office for securing this funding. This shelter will allow Tybee Island critical workforce staff to safely shelter during natural disasters ensuring a quicker response to an incident,” Chatham County Chairman Chester A. Ellis said. “Resilience after a disaster is important not only to the Tybee Community but the County as a whole.”

In the last century, Tybee Island has suffered from more than 78 hurricanes and 15 reported tornadoes, and the Island remains a high-risk area for flooding over the next 30 years.

Last year, Sen. Ossoff’s bipartisan legislation to protect Tybee Island from storm surgeThis is an external link, beach erosion, and coastal flooding was signed into law. This law will extend the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ authority to partner with Tybee Island for another 12 years.

There's an old saying: "A bad day of fishing is still better than a good day at the office."

If you’re looking to get outdoors and toss a line, Savannah and the surrounding region offers no shortage of great places to play hooky.

Whether you enjoy chasing your catch by boat or want to pull out a chair on a pier and take in the view, there are plenty of fun and scenic places throughout the Lowcountry to satisfy any fishing bug.

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Just about any time of year, grouper and snapper are up for grabs in the coastal waters. While other fish such as sea bass, sheepshead, cobia, mahi mahi, mackerel, shark, flounder, redfish, and sea trout can be caught at seasonally as they move through the region.

From river and beach piers, to charter boats that hug the coast or travel out deep, here are some popular places and guides to catch a few fresh fish.

More:New team joins Savannah's charter businesses ready for big catches in Coastal Georgia waters

Just remember, that you'll need a Georgia fishing license to get started, which you can purchase online.

Frank O. Downing Fishing Pier

Cross the Moon River in style and set up shop at the Frank O. Downing Pier, which features excellent fishing, marsh views, and free parking on either side of the bridge.

The pier is located off the Diamond Causeway, which leads to Skidaway Island, and features a scenic panorama of the wide marshland, with epic sunsets and plenty of fish to keep you busy. For more information, visit the Chatham County parks and recreations page.

Bull River Marina

Located on Wilmington Island, Bull River Marina offers fishing, boat tours, and boat charters. They even tout the frequent dolphin sightings that guests experience on their boat rides.

And if you're just in it for a good time, you can book a Dafuskie Island Tour to take a look across the "wide water" to see the rich history of South Carolina's historic island up close. Visit bullrivermarina.com or call (912) 897-7300.

Southern Saltwater Charters

This full-service charter experience is guided by Captain Josiah Riffle, a USCG Certified Charter Captain with years of experience fishing local waters for redfish, trout, flounder, tripletail, sheepshead, sharks, and more.

Located minutes from downtown Savannah on Wilmington Island, Southern Saltwater Charters takes tourists and locals alike out for a fun day on the water and backwater tours. Visit southernsaltwatercharters.com or call (912) 661-4189.

Reel Em' N

Tybee Island is known for excellent year-round fishing conditions with its fair share of fishing piers, wade fishing spots, and deep-water charters. Reel Em’ N Deep Sea Fishing Charters is a deep-water charter service helmed by Captain Derek Brown who has fished the region for nearly two decades.

Each of Reel Em' N's vessels can accommodate up to 20 guests, for fishing or fun. Visit reelemn.com or call (912) 897-4990.

Tybee Beach Pier and Pavilion

For those who want to stay on land while they cast into the water, the Tybee Beach Pier and Pavilion is a popular spot for local and out of town fishers.

Built in 1891, the pier is located just off U.S. 80 at the end of Tybrisa Street, and is open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily with free admission. The pavilion also features a snack bar, picnic tables, and public restrooms.

It's a great place to try your luck with a fishing pole, or just take in a beautiful sunset over the Atlantic.

Lazaretto Creek Fishing Pier

Located under the U.S. Highway 80 bridge that leads into Tybee Island, Lazaretto Creek Fishing Pier is a quaint park with a broad fishing pier facing CoCo's Sunset Grille, Savannah Jetski rentals, and North Island Surf and Kayak.

You can throw in a line and wait for a bite, as you wave to visitors leaving on dolphin tours or renting a kayak for a day to paddle around the island. There's also a boat ramp if you want to launch your own vessel to fish.

And when you're done, there's plenty of dining options available just over the bridge and minutes away on Tybee Island. Visit nps.gov/places/lcbr.htm.

Fort McAllister State Park

Overlooking the Ogeechee River, historic Fort McAllister offers more than its Civil War museum and earthwork fortifications. It also features two great fishing spots, one open to the public, another reserved just for campers at the state park. The park's pier is more than 150 feet long overlooking the river, with picnic pavilions, a playground for the kids, and even a boat ramp nearby.

Hang out on the pier and cast a line, or put a boat in and cruise the historic Ogeechee River.

Cost is $5 parking for the day, with admission ranging $5 to $9. The park open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, with shorter hours for the historic site. Visit gastateparks.org/FortMcAllister or call (912) 727-2339.

Kings Ferry

Located further up the Ogeechee River from Fort McAllister, is Kings Ferry boat ramp and pier minutes from Georgetown. The park features a boat ramp, fishing pier, pavilions and tables, and a playground for the kids.

Post up on the pier to try your luck in the bustling Ogeechee River, and stay for the stunning river sunsets. And when you're done, Love's Seafood is right nearby, a favorite spot for locals to grab a bite of fresh Lowcountry seafood.

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - According to National Weather Service official Ronald Morales Jr., a tornado touched down on Wilmington Island during Tuesday's severe weather event.

The National Weather Service has designated the tornado that touched down on Wilmington Island was an EF-1.

The survey team from Charleston says the the twister developed around 5:54 pm Tuesday, May 23 on the southwest end of Wilmington Island, GA. It traveled northeast about seven miles before moving out into the ocean just beyond Fort Pulaski, GA.

The maximum width was 500 yards and the preliminary rating is EF1. The tornado was over land for approximately 11 minutes.

EF1 damage occurred on Wilmington Island and at Fort Pulaski. A complete summary will be issued in the next day or two.

"We have not had reports of damage from the other warnings that we put out. Sometimes that's because they occur in areas where there aren't people to report the damage. So, we are never really 100 percent sure of whether something happened or didn't happen until we actually get out here. But this one we had reports of damage and had media coverage and video of an actual tornado moving across the area. So, we knew we had to get out there and look at this one," Morales said.

Morales says more information like the rating of the tornado's strength and how long it was on the ground should be available by Thursday.

Part of the message at Wednesday's news conference was we're not out of the woods just yet.

We saw that first hand while watching a group clean up the driveway of a home on Walthour Road. When the wind picked up for a moment, it blew down damaged limbs that fell near us.

So, CEMA's leaders are encouraging people cleaning up the debris and their homes to be careful and use proper equipment and protective gear. Also, make sure you're reporting that damage to your insurance companies.

Folks in the area are just getting over the damage and insurance claims from Hurricane Matthew. They say they can't remember the last tornado that came through outside of a hurricane.

"Kind of a shock but after Hurricane Matthew, I won't say I'm numb to it, but I would say that it's just something else. What do we have to be in this one little zone where it happened? That's kind of what I'm thinking," said Lex Bailey, whose home was damaged by a tornado.

On social media, we saw several posts asking about the warning sirens and if they all went off. WTOC asked CEMA's director about that issue.

"All of our sirens activated. The sirens are meant to be heard outdoors, thankfully with this particular event, there was heavy rain and there weren't many people outdoors. So, all the sirens that were in the warning area, were activated properly," said CEMA Director Dennis Jones.

Any debris from this storm can be put curbside, and Chatham county Public Works will be around to pick it up.

Copyright 2017 WTOC. All rights reserved.

Restaurants come and go, but one that stayed on Wilmington Island was Hardee's.

Until a few weeks ago, that is.

The Wilmington Hardee's - something of a landmark at its site on the southwest corner of Johnny Mercer Boulevard and Penn Waller Road - closed its doors for good on Nov. 20 after 24 years of serving burgers and other fast food.

The restaurant was shut down because it was no longer profitable, said Shakil Saulat, a Hardee's franchisee for the Savannah area. Saulat - also the operator of Hardee's franchises at Interstate 95 and Ga. 204 and in Pooler, Richmond Hill and Hinesville - had leased the restaurant property on Wilmington for the past 10 years.

"We came to an agreement that it was not profitable over there," Saulat said at the end of November of the island operation, "and we decided to close."

Hardee's was one of just a handful of restaurants on Wilmington when I moved to the island in September 1987.

As best I can remember, there were no eateries on Whitemarsh Island, and those on Wilmington were Palmer's - a seafood restaurant off Wilmington Island Road and overlooking Turner Creek, and a smattering of dining establishments on Johnny Mercer - Hardee's; Hunan Chinese Restaurant; a Pizza Inn; a Church's Fried Chicken; and a mom-and-pop venture called The Eating Place.

Also on Johnny Mercer was Big Al's, a small storefront offering takeout barbecue that later was expanded into a full-service restaurant, and McDonald's, the construction of which had just been completed when I became an island resident.

And, there was a building at the old Sheraton Savannah Resort and Country Club that sporadically housed restaurants, plus the dining room at the resort's hotel.

A colleague recalled the Shellhouse seafood place being located near Palmer's; I don't, but I'm sure most islanders remember Williams Seafood Restaurant, which was on U.S. 80 near the western end of the Bull River bridge and whose roots dated to 1936, when founder Tom Williams began selling the fish and crabs he caught while tending the bridge.

Williams was destroyed by fire in December 2004, and the other restaurants that I've mentioned as doing business in September 1987, with the exception of McDonald's, all have closed or moved off the island. Hardee's - in continuous operation since 1985 - was the last to go.

As far as I can determine, that leaves McDonald's - which opened on Sept. 21, 1987 - as the island's oldest eatery.

Leasing of the former Hardee's is being handled by in part by Equity One Inc., a real estate investment trust headquartered in south Florida that earlier this year acquired about 75 percent of the stock of Dim Vastgoed NV - a Dutch company that bought the 3,321-square-foot Hardee's building and the parcel on which it sits in September 2005 from Melaver Inc.

DBR & Associates of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., a full-service commercial real estate organization representing Dim Vastgoed NV, is also involved in managing the property, according to Todd Wilson, an Equity One regional leasing director based in Atlanta.

I suppose the best use of the former Hardee's would continue to be as a restaurant, although I imagine the building could be converted for other commercial ventures.

There's evidence for that just across Johnny Mercer from the old Hardee's - at the Hester & Zipperer Lawn & Garden center, which originally was a Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet.