Storms impact homes still recovering from Helene
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Even six months later, it’s safe to say many of us are on high alert about storms like Monday’s after Hurricane Helene.
And for some, the homes they’re taking shelter in are still damaged.
The weather lately might have made you question where you actually live. Between the snow, thunderstorms and even a hurricane, Augusta has seen all kinds of weather.
And as many people still work to recover from extensive damage, they’re hoping the weather will calm down long enough to fully recover.
Once in a lifetime weather that people never get to experience.
“Well, we moved here in 1992, but we’ve never seen weather like this,” said Betty Walpert, an Augusta resident.
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Snow storms, thunderstorms and a hurricane.
“The landscape has changed forever, and for those of us who’ve lived here for so long, it really is sad,” said Walpert. “Everybody says this is a once-in-a-lifetime thing, but to live it is just painful.”
And for six months, people have been trying to recover from the hurricane.
“Nobody knows about how bad Augusta was hit,” said Walpert.
Many houses still aren’t livable. One homeowner told us the last storm ripped their tarp off, causing even more damage.
They’re hoping their new tarp will withstand any weather.
“You know, Masters is coming. Everybody’s finally just cleaned up, and it’s just really frightening that nobody ever thought we could get a hurricane here, and then boom,” said Walpert.
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Especially right before one of the biggest weeks in Augusta.
“We are renting our house for the Masters and I’m sure they have no idea what Augusta looks like, especially Walton Way or Montclair,” said Walpert. “I mean, you almost get lost. You’re not sure where you are.”
But they are still coming together, regardless of what they might face.
“I think everybody’s just a little bit on edge and kind of sitting with their fingers crossed,” said Walpert.
Hearing about a potential new storm on Monday just has a different meaning for a lot of people in our area after the numerous weather events we’ve experienced.
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