LUMBER CITY, Ga. — For many Georgia communities recovering from Helene, every penny counts.
That's why Governor Brian Kemp is making fuel a little bit more affordable for those who need it most.
Kemp announced he was suspending the state's gas tax to aid relief from Hurricane Helene for Georgians across the state, which will go into effect on Thursday.
After Helene barreled through Lumber City in Telfair County, gas became a hot commodity.
Places like Lumber City Nursing and Rehabilitation Center currently rely on fuel-powered generators to keep residents comfortable.
Like former councilman Christopher Black, many homeowners in the area are still waiting for power to be restored.
"It's something that's needed because we're running generators right here like crazy," Black said. "A tree fell on our home, a tree fell on our business. Me and my wife and my daughter had to stay in our truck for the last 3 days, we're still out without power."
But as the owner of a trucking company Big Black Truckers LLC, he knows how valuable gas can be. He says his trucks can hold up to 140 gallons each.
"It's real hard out here for us truckers. We get less pay with the most outcome ... with all my trucks filling up, it's about $9,000 a week," Black said.
Black has questions about what happens after the tax suspension ends.
"We're very grateful, don't get me wrong, but what's gonna impact us after this? A lot of us took business money trying to stay alive, trying to stay at peace," Black said. "Sleeping in cars, sleeping in other people's houses, trying to find motels, having to drive 60 miles to find something to eat."
Kemp says the fuel tax suspension will continue through the state emergency, which ends Wednesday, Oct. 9.