I-TEAM: Helene has displaced students at nearly every Richmond County school
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - More than 100 students returned to the classroom without homes after Hurricane Helene ripped through Richmond County.
The Richmond County School System has been using an online form to identify students and their immediate needs, in order to connect parents with local resources.
We requested the data without identifying information in order to get a first glimpse into the possible long-term impacts of the hurricane on our community.
As of Friday, parents of 132 students have filled out the hurricane disaster relief form.
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Eighty-two percent are displaced, and unable to return to their homes because of storm damage.
The school system is made up of more than 50 schools. We identified displaced students in nearly every school, from Richmond Hill Elementary to Westside High School.
The greatest needs listed by parents were food, clothing and housing.
“We haven’t gotten SNAP benefits,” one parent said. “Money is tight.”
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Another parent wrote, “Our apartment was condemned. We have been staying with family in Butts County since we are currently without housing.”
The hurricane relief form is still available for families to fill out here.
The school district has a list of resources on its webpage.
In total, 108 students are displaced. The schools with the most displaced students are Tutt Elementary, Richmond Hill Elementary, Hephzibah Middle and Westside High School.
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