At this writing, the emergency management officials in Colquitt County and many other places are still working to clean up after Hurricane Michael.

Our county was certainly not spared, but the events of Wednesday night and Thursday morning appear to have been less damaging than had been feared as we all watched the storm’s projected track cut right across our community. After crossing into Georgia, the storm’s center moved farther west than meteorologists had expected. A blessing for us, a bane for some of our neighbors.

Trees remain down on roads. Many Colquitt Countians are still without power. The aftermath of Michael isn’t over.

So let’s say a big thank you to the first responders who worked to prepare us for the storm, and an even bigger one for the utility crews, road crews and volunteers who are helping us recover from it.