Lake Seminole Impacts Are Huge After Hurricane

It’s now been a few weeks since Hurricane Michael slammed into southwest Georgia leaving a path of utter destruction in its path. Square in the middle of all that destruction was one of our state’s most popular reservoirs, Lake Seminole.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Public Affairs Specialist Lance Davis said the lake took a direct strike from the storm.

“Our initial estimates indicate that over 70 percent of standing timber and other wildlife habitat around the lake have been destroyed. None of our campgrounds are currently open, and unfortunately, we are yet to have a clear time table of when things will be restored to normal operation. I can assure you that we are working hard to restore the damage that hurricane Michael caused,” said Lance.

Bank anglers wanting to access the lake can do so at Lower Pool or West Bank Overlook. For those wanting to launch a boat, both Desser Landing and Cypress Pond Landing are up and running. 

Seminole guide Matt Baty said the lake area got hammered.

“The only ramps I know that are open are Big Jim’s, Jack Wingate’s and the Bainbridge Boat Basin. If you do put in, you need to use caution, as the storm tore hydrilla up and pushed huge piles of it all across the lake.”

There is also storm debris from homes, docks and broken trees. 

“Big Jim’s motel roof was completely torn off, including the roof trusses, and the restaurant suffered significant damage. They are working to get the restaurant up and running as quickly as possible,” said Matt. 

Liz Long, of Trails End, said they took a direct hit from the storm.

“It’s ground zero out here, everything we had was destroyed. Every cabin and building we have is going to have to be rebuilt or destroyed. 

“We will rebuild though. We have already started the process, and we won’t quit until we finish,” said Liz.