Landowners accuse Phillips of timber destruction during Georgia debris cleanup

In a heated discussion during a recent government meeting, residents of Appling County voiced their outrage over the handling of debris cleanup following the devastating hurricane in September 2024. Many families lost everything, but one landowner highlighted a different tragedy: the destruction of pristine timber on their property by a cleanup contractor.

The landowner described how the company, hired to clear debris, instead caused significant damage to trees that had been part of their family’s land since 1970. “They mutilated virgin timber,” the resident stated, emphasizing that the trees were healthy and undamaged before the cleanup crew arrived. The lack of communication from the contractor was a major point of contention, with the landowner accusing them of trespassing and abusing their authority.

The situation escalated when the contractor allegedly blocked access to the property and displayed unprofessional behavior, including verbal abuse towards family members. The landowner expressed frustration over the contractor's claim of working for FEMA, questioning the legitimacy of their actions.

This incident has raised concerns among community members about the oversight of cleanup operations and the need for better communication between contractors and landowners. As the county navigates the aftermath of the hurricane, residents are calling for accountability and a review of the cleanup process to prevent similar issues in the future.