South Augusta residents still shaken from the damage left by Helene
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- Augusta: Power is mostly back on, but Augusta mayor stands by curfew
- Electricity: Crews are in final stretch of restoring power – but it’s slow-going
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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Crews are still trying to get south Augusta back to normal, but with the curfew still in place and many traffic signals still out, everyone is trying to figure out what to do next.
It’s been ten days, and many people still need help.
“I don’t think I have any more tears left. I’ve been just crying, you know, calling even the insurance to get adjusters to get anything done,” said south Augusta resident Denisse Ramirez.
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“We need to move out because mold has made it’s home in here. Whatever little we had in those rooms is now ruined, so it’s gonna go to trash, and then the rest of the house. It’s more money out of our pocket,” said Ramirez.
Damage to homes, cars and power lines. Some waiting days for help, describing South Augusta as a war zone.
“I moved here from Florida, and we never had this type of damage,” said Ramirez. “We were used to that help and assistance coming really fast and I noticed Georgia definitely was not prepared for this.”
Fire Chief Antonio Burden says strike teams will continue to be out and to call 311 if you still need help.
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Some wish they had help sooner, so they’ve helped each other and say this has brought their community closer.
“It’s definitely brought community back to Augusta. I will say that people I’ve never met before have stopped and asked us if we needed help, people we’ve never spoken to down the road. ‘Y’all good? Y’all okay? Do you need any help?,’” said South Augusta Resident Kayla Thigpen.
The curfew is 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., and Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson says it’s especially important to follow the curfew in south Augusta because many traffic signals are still out.
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