Mayor calls Helene ‘worst natural disaster in Augusta history’
- Ga., S.C. governors urge patience with Helene cleanup, recovery
- Georgia power grid suffers a big hit from Hurricane Helene
- Helene’s toppled trees, fallen power lines snarl roadways in CSRA
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Augusta’s mayor on Sunday called Hurricane Helene the “worst natural disaster in Augusta history.”
Nevertheless, he says things have been improving since the storm hit Friday morning,
And Monday will be better than Sunday, he said.
Kemp will visit Augusta to see damage from Helene
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp will visit Augusta to tour damage from Helene, just a day after S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster came to Aiken.
That may be hard to swallow for residents who‘ve endured three days without electricity and who were told to prepare for two days without water service.
The hurricane has been compared over and over to an ice storm 10 years ago that also took down power lines.
Johnson said that’s not a good comparison because the hurricane’s effect have been “10 times worse.”
Johnson declared a state of emergency Friday after the storm swept through the CSRA as a Category 1 storm, knocking down trees, tossing power lines and debris across roads and causing widespread flooding.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
LIST: School, office closures due to impacts from Hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene has altered plans for schools and universities across the region. Get the details.
How to file an insurance claim after storm damage
Any homeowners who sustain storm damage from Helene are recommended to file their claims as soon as possible, according to the Georgia Office of Insurance and Fire Safety Commissioner.
Disaster triggers law to fight price gouging in South Carolina
“We may see businesses and individuals looking to unfairly take advantage of the situation through price gouging,” S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson warns.
Here’s what you need to submit a claim for storm damage to FEMA
President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration in Georgia and South Carolina for people impacted b y Hurricane Helene.
For people who don’t feel safe or comfortable enough at home, the city has opened the Brigham and May Park community centers as shelters.
They’re places where people can enjoy air conditioning and charge phones.
Johnson said the centers are not at capacity yet.
Meanwhile, he said Sunday that a curfew will remain in place from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Johnson reiterated his call for residents to shelter in place as the city struggles to restore services knocked out by Hurricane Helene.
Don’t hold out hope that the power will be back on in the next 24 to 36 hours, he said, because it may not be.
He noted that 174 National Guard troops are in Augusta helping to clear the roads of debris.
On Saturday, he urged residents to stay patient, saying, “We’re doing everything possible restore our city back to the way it was.”
The Georgia Power linemen got to work early Saturday, and Fire Chief Antonio Burden said they’re working “tirelessly” to restore services.
Shelters
Salvation Army Center of Hope
- There are five rooms designated for Families. When TSA has more than five families, it must utilize space that was for single women to create additional family rooms.
- Total capacity is 130, whicj includes using cots in appropriate common areas to accommodate some single adult residents.
Garden City Rescue Mission (828 Fenwick St.):
- Facility has room for 60 men.
- Agency has been non-responsive to phone calls for additional information.
Augusta Rescue Mission (525 Walker St.):
- normally has space for single men.
- Staff mans the front desk from 3:30-7 p.m. seven days a week and can coordinate with other providers if they need to refer due to capacity issues.
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