Ethan Reddish

Georgia Forestry Commission’s Mark McClure discusses the impact of storms like Helene on forests

(This is an excerpt from the fall 2024 edition of the Bainbridge Living magazine)

With fall here, hunters are taking to the woods for deer season, and some anglers are taking advantage of the reduced pressure on the waters to fish. However, while Decatur County was spared from the worst, some outdoorsmen in neighboring communities may find that Hurricane Helene has left their usual spots damaged and possibly inaccessible.

Mark McClure, who serves as the Forest Health Specialist for the Decatur County division of the Georgia Forestry Commission, spoke with the Post-Searchlight about the effects and aftermath of Helene, which he likened to the aftermath of Hurricane Michael. One of these negative impacts is an increase in pine bark beetle damage.