VALDOSTA – Hurricane Irma’s high-force winds and rainfall led to the mandatory curfew to maintain public safety, Valdosta Police Chief Brian Childress said.

“The basis for the curfew is that a lot of trees and power lines are down,” Childress said. “It gives Georgia Power and the city public works department time to get the roads cleared and deal with downed power lines.”

While no mandatory curfew was in effect during the nighttime hours Sunday and Monday morning, Childress said he was pleased to see most people listened to his recommendation to clear the roads.

“There was very little traffic on the roads last night,” Childress said. “People honored our words and listened to us. We appreciate that.”

Childress said city damage is spread out and includes different locations.

Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk said damage is widespread along with significant power outages.

Colquitt EMC is working to restore power, the sheriff said, adding some county residents can expect to be without power for at least a week.

“It hit us really hard around 4 this morning,” Paulk said shortly before noon Monday, adding he had been out since 7 a.m. Sunday. “There was a lot of destruction in the last three or four hours.”

Many farms in the area have major crop losses, he said.

Paulk said there were reports of trees falling on homes; there were no injuries reported.