‘Humbling’: CSRA residents share their stories of Helene

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - It’s been more than a week since Hurricane Helene slammed into the two-state area, and neighbors say destruction like this will be felt for years to come.

The recovery is still ongoing.

We spoke with neighbors in the area about their heartbreaking experiences.

Homes in south Augusta leave behind a reminder of just how strong Hurricane Helene was.

And everyone has their own story about how that night felt.

More than a week after Helene, here’s the situation in Augusta

If you haven’t been out of your house since Hurricane Helene hit the CSRA, here’s what you should know.

Life is seeming a little closer to normal now in Augusta.

“Boom. It hits the house. Boom, another one hits the house. And I go on the porch, and I see the trees. I said, I didn’t know trees could wave like this,” said south Augusta resident, Detre Jordan.

It’s a night some say is unforgettable.

“It’s just a reminder experience that, you know, natural disasters are out there, and they can really, really happen, and put us in a humbling experience,” said Jordan.

Some are still without power and water, while others are just now getting it back.

Levon Joe Jr., an Augusta resident, said: “You could live without power, but you can’t live without that water. So, we had to make for sure you get water from different places, you know, fill up jugs so we could keep the toilets flushed and stuff like that.”

Georgia Power shows nearly 26,000 Richmond County customers are without power.

And nearly 18,000 in Columbia County.

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Dominion Energy shows around 13,000 residents in Aiken County and 2,500 in Edgefield County without power.

It’s making it a slow recovery process for those across the two-state area.

Jordan said: “The police officers, the fire department, the EMS, they can only do so much, you know. And everybody has their job to do, but as a community, they all have to pull it off. We gotta pull together.”

‘This was a tough one’: McMaster says S.C. will beat Helene’s hurdles

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster paid his second visit to the CSRA in a week to view and discuss damage from Hurricane Helene.

Neighbors say right now is the time to set your differences aside and help out.

“I just seen a lot of the community come together, and it was a good feeling to see that coming, see that happen. You know, all different people from different walks of life, different careers, said Jordan.

Although it’s going to be a slow recovery process, several people we spoke with say they’re just lucky to be alive to tell their story.