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Augusta, GA

Augusta groups see growing need for help weeks after Helene

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Augusta groups see growing need for help weeks after Helene


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – We’ve visited several distribution sites across Augusta this week, and on Thursday, we were at the HUB.

Even two weeks later, many people are still in need of help getting ahold of the basic necessities.

The need is far from over.

United Way says their call volumes have doubled since the storm. They say a lot of the calls are first-timers needing help.

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United Way says this hurricane impacted everyone in our entire community.

It doesn’t matter what zip code you live in. Everyone has experienced it in some way.

“Our plan was to canvass Harrisburg and to do wellness checks and get them the resources that they need food wise, you know, small scale,” said Christy Beckham, volunteer at the HUB.

The scale broke as the need for food, water and basic necessities exploded across the area.

The HUB is just one of several distribution sites in our area.

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Those in charge say the more than 100 volunteers serve more than 500 cars a day.

“Storm did not choose the rich and the poor and the rural or the city. It hit us all. And it was a huge community undertaking and it’ll be years before the city recovers in lots of different ways. But if people could jump in and help, they could and they did. I mean, it’s unbelievable who is here,” said Beckham.

Everyone is impacted in some way.

Brittany Burnett, United Way president and CEO, said: “With over half of our community struggling before the hurricane, now we’re looking to see how much more of our community is actually going to be struggling after this disaster has passed. And so, it’ll take a while for us to assess that. But we’re here to help support again, not that just the immediate needs, but those long-term needs as well.”

Burnett says they have people calling to offer help, and then calls from people who need help.

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Debris clean up across CSRA

“There’s a lot of great resources up front, but as time goes on, some of those resources go away. And so, people want to be here for the short-term recovery, but they’re also here to help in the long term and really realize that it’s important to continue to give back to your community, not just immediately after the storm, but in the days and weeks and months to come,” she said.

Burnett says United Way has launched a disaster response fund on their website.

She says that will help not only the immediate needs but the long-term needs as well.

She says the best way people either need help or they want to give help is to call 211.



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Augusta, GA

Women's golf gear up for final fall event – Augusta University

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Women's golf gear up for final fall event – Augusta University


AUGUSTA, GA – The final fall event for Augusta University’s women’s golf team will be The Southern, hosted by Georgia Southern Oct.14-15 in Statesboro, Georgia. With all the new, young faces the Jaguars have this season, it’s been on-the-job training for a lot of the team.

It’s been a work in progress for new coach Ember Holloway and the team as they feature three freshmen and three sophomores. For most of the team, this is their first time playing at the highest level of collegiate golf and it hasn’t come easy. While the results haven’t been what they have hoped for, Holloway knows there is progress being made.

“We’re just trying to build each time we step out there in competition. So we’re really building towards the spring and the post season.So all the little things in practice and polishing up and just wanting to see us get better and improvement from each person,” said Holloway.

Playing in the bigger events against some of the top programs will help the Jaguars in the long run.

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“Getting to see where those teams were at in the Windy City Collegiate, showed us where we need to get to, so it was a good event for us to do that,” added Holloway.

Marine Legentil was the low Jaguar the last time out at the Windy City Collegiate and has posted scores in the 70s in five of her last six rounds.

The Southern has 13 teams competing including Cincinnati, Florida Atlantic, Charleston Southern and the host, Georgia Southern.   

 Fans can follow Augusta University Athletics at www.AugustaJags.com and receive updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics, on X at @AugustaJags, and Instagram at @augustajags.
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Rep. Jim Clyburn visits Augusta, helps Helene victims

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Rep. Jim Clyburn visits Augusta, helps Helene victims


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – On Wednesday, U.S. Representative Jim Clyburn was in Augusta, helping give out resources to Helene victims.

Clyburn was also campaigning for the Harris-Walz campaign.

He says as a representative of Charleston, he knows what hurricanes can do to a community.

“I’ve always said as a former history teacher, the best instructor is experienced, and I am here today because I have experienced what is being an experience of this community today. I am here to demonstrate how I think people ought to act and react,” said Clyburn.

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He adds it’s important for people to come together during these times to help one another.



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I-TEAM: What to look out for when choosing a roofing company

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I-TEAM: What to look out for when choosing a roofing company


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Dozens of families are waiting on new roofs before they can return to their homes in the Walton Way neighborhoods.

Others will wait even longer.

Destruction is severe in the Walton Way community — some homes will have to be bulldozed down and rebuilt.

Roofs covered in tarps are a common sight along Walton Way.

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Unfortunately, it’s not going to change anytime soon due to roofers being booked weeks out.

A drive down Walton Way feels a lot like trying to navigate the road back to normal.

Joseph Coleman, owner of Black Dog Roofing, returned to Augusta as soon as he heard about the destruction in his old neighborhood.

“Feels a little helpless so not a lot we could do so got chainsaws and try to open up the roads to help people,” said Coleman.

The streets around Walton Way are an obstacle course, but now drivable enough for Coleman and his crews to help provide his hometown with a much-needed service.

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“This is a complete roof replacement. About a week ago, there was a pine tree through the roof. We take everything off, assess the wood underneath, replace anything that needs to be replaced and then go back with new shingles,” said Coleman.

His roofing company is based out of Athens.

We do about two roofs a day, so we are about two weeks out,” he said.

He’s already booked to replace roofs on 35 other homes in the neighborhood.

“I know in a time like this, it can feel like you want to get a roofer really quickly, but we are talking a 30-to-40-year roof and this is what’s protecting your home,” said Coleman.

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Which is why it’s worth the wait for a good roofing company.

“First reach out to the insurance company if you have damage. They’re going to send an adjuster out to look at your roof. They then can link you up with a roofing company or hop onto Google. Google reviews are the best way to verify a roofer,” said Coleman.

Unlike general contractors, there is no licensing requirement for roofers, but a roofing company should still have a business license, liability insurance and workers comp.

Augusta's Montclair neighborhood was hit hard by Hurricane Helene.

“Code upgrades are a big thing around here for instance you have to have drip edge as of January 1, 2014. It’s a metal piece that goes around all the rakes and eaves of the perimeter of the roof. That’s code requirement,” he said.

Try to stick with someone local.

They’re more likely to be familiar with the state’s building codes.

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“There are so many reputable companies in Augusta so I think all of them are going to give really great roofs in this time,” said Coleman.

Shingle by shingle, roof by roof, helping rebuild Augusta.

A contract with a roofing company should detail the exact scope of the work- do not sign it unless it does that.

Also, keep in mind, that your roof should last 20-25 years so read through that warranty.

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