Augusta, GA
“Definitely a little overwhelmed:” AU tries to get back to normal after Helene
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Cleanup is underway at Augusta University after heavy damage from Hurricane Helene.
Power is restored on campus and most of the debris is clear, but there is still caution tape up as crews clean up.
Dr. Keen says Helene left more than $5 million worth of damage.
AU leadership says although they’ve made strides with keeping the doors open, they still have a long recovery ahead.
“We can replace buildings, we can plant seeds for more trees, but we cannot replace the human beings that take part in our community,” says Russell Keen, Augusta University president.
It’s a reality Keen says they’re still trying to navigate after Helene left its mark, but he says clean-up isn’t the top issue right now.
“I think the most difficult part is, not necessarily the cleanup, it’s getting everyone else back on campus, focused and ready to go, which our faculty and staff and our students have done an amazing job,” says Keen.
Families express concerns as Richmond County kids return to classroom
Students say the transition has been mostly smooth, but it’s hard to ignore the last two weeks and what it has cost them.
“We actually had water coming through our doors,” says Riya Patel, senior at AU. “It wasn’t entirely too much, but it was enough to for us to be concerned.”
“Definitely a little overwhelmed,” says Tenbit Serbessa, a senior at AU. “You know, we didn’t have class for almost two weeks, so everything is, like, pushed until this weekend and next week.”
Students living on campus were moved to Gordon State College for refuge when power was out, and resources are still available for students like food and laundry services through the Salvation Army.
“It’s like good to see that everybody in the community stepped in to help one another out, especially the neighborhoods that were like severely impacted,” says Patel.
“I think they did the best that they could, given the circumstances,” says Serbessa.
Keen says fixing everything will be a long-term project, but he believes this will make the AU community stronger.
“The resilience that was demonstrated, and really the last couple of weeks of this institution, this community, speaks very loudly, and I’m very excited about what that might offer for our future,” says Keen.
AU leadership says they’re continuing to work with contractors to get everything cleaned up.
They’re continuing to focus on the well-being of students and faculty through hybrid classes and continuing community partnerships to fulfill their communities’ needs during this time.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
We recognize you are attempting to access this website from a country belonging to the European Economic Area (EEA) including the EU which
enforces the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and therefore access cannot be granted at this time.
For any issues, contact enews@wfxg.com or call 706-650-5400.
AUGUSTA, Ga – The Augusta men’s basketball team extended their winning streak to eight games with a thrilling 79-75 come-from-behind win over No. 19 Columbus State on Saturday afternoon. The victory improves Augusta to 8-4 overall and 2-0 in Peach Belt Conference play, while handing Columbus State just their second loss of the season, dropping them to 10-2 and 1-1 in conference action.
Augusta (8-4, 2-0 Peach Belt)
FG% 51.1
3PT% 38.9
FT% 82.8
Columbus State (10-2, 1-1 Peach Belt)
FG% 45.1
3PT% 42.1
FT% 84.0
The final five minutes of the game showcased Augusta’s grit and composure. After trailing 71-65 with just over five minutes remaining, Demitri Gardner sparked a comeback with a pair of free throws at the 4:13 mark, cutting the deficit to four. Max Amadasun followed with a clutch three-pointer, narrowing Columbus State’s lead to 73-70 with 3:17 left.
John St. Germain III then drove into the paint for a layup, bringing Augusta within one at 73-72 with 2:40 on the clock. Moments later, Luis Nonfon capitalized on an offensive rebound with a go-ahead layup, giving the Jaguars a 74-73 lead at the 2:04 mark. Nonfon added a free throw to push the lead to two.
With the game tied at 75 after a Columbus State jumper, St. Germain III delivered again, hitting a layup with 30 seconds left to put Augusta ahead 77-75. Gardner sealed the victory by stealing the ball with six seconds remaining and converting two clutch free throws with two seconds left, giving the Jaguars a four-point lead. Max Amadasun’s defensive rebound on Columbus State’s final three-point attempt secured the win.
Gardner led all scorers with 28 points, shooting 9-15 from the field and a perfect 9-9 from the free-throw line. He also added three rebounds and two steals, including the critical takeaway in the final seconds. Amadasun contributed a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds, while St. Germain III added 12 points, five assists, and the decisive layup. Nonfon and Elias Palsson chipped in with key contributions down the stretch.
Next Up: The Jaguars will hit the road for their next game on Wednesday, January 8, when they face Clayton State University in Morrow, GA. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Augusta will then travel to Aiken, SC, for a rivalry matchup against USC Aiken on Saturday, January 11, at 3:30 p.m
Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.augustajags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AugustaJags
We recognize you are attempting to access this website from a country belonging to the European Economic Area (EEA) including the EU which
enforces the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and therefore access cannot be granted at this time.
For any issues, contact enews@wfxg.com or call 706-650-5400.
Mass. State Police help owl hit by car in Pelham
Big Plays by Vikings Defense Early Not Enough in Detroit
11 Relaxing Mississippi Towns
Brady and Missouri State host UIC
Did This Montana Doctor Line His Pockets— While Killing?
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
Why Marjorie Taylor Greene was ‘kicked out’ of the Freedom Caucus according to Rep. Buck
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
How Jimmy Carter Launched His Career and Cemented His Legacy in Atlanta
Biden takes departing jab at Trump, says he was a 'genuine threat to democracy'
The Take: What lies ahead for world politics in 2025?
Coldest air so far this season expected overnight in North Texas
New Orleans Attacker Visited City Twice and Made Trips to Egypt and Canada
-
Health1 week agoNew Year life lessons from country star: 'Never forget where you came from'
-
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24982514/Quest_3_dock.jpg "Meta’s ‘software update issue’ has been breaking Quest headsets for weeks")
Technology1 week agoMeta’s ‘software update issue’ has been breaking Quest headsets for weeks
-
Business5 days agoThese are the top 7 issues facing the struggling restaurant industry in 2025
-
Culture5 days agoThe 25 worst losses in college football history, including Baylor’s 2024 entry at Colorado
-
Sports5 days agoThe top out-of-contract players available as free transfers: Kimmich, De Bruyne, Van Dijk…
-
Politics3 days agoNew Orleans attacker had 'remote detonator' for explosives in French Quarter, Biden says
-
Politics3 days agoCarter's judicial picks reshaped the federal bench across the country
-
Politics1 day agoWho Are the Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom?