AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Federal Emergency Management Agency has given Augusta and other communities in Georgia and South Carolina 30 more days to clean up Helene debris and still get reimbursed 100% for the costs.

Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson announced Wednesday that the 100% reimbursement period for Hurricane Helene has been extended to 120 days.

Documents from FEMA showed the deadline was extended in both Georgia and South Carolina.

Previously, communities had a 90-day deadline to clean up the debris and get fully reimbursed for the costs.

The extension is crucial in Augusta, because with only a couple of weeks left under the original deadline, contractors haven’t even finished their first pass through the city.

Residents were asked to pile hurricane debris along the roadsides, and crews plan to make at least two and possibly three passes along every street in the city to pick up the debris.

On Tuesday night, Johnson updated the community at a town hall meeting on cleanup efforts in Richmond County.

MORE FROM NEWS 12

Hurricane Helene: CSRA continues on path to recovery

1. 2 months after Helene, FEMA continues to open recovery centers
2. Everything you need to know about applying for FEMA aid
3. What FEMA can and can’t do for victims of Hurricane Helene
4. Pace of Helene cleanup frustrates many across the CSRA

The extension comes even as FEMA Director Deanne Criswell testified last month to senators that the money available to help communities like Augusta has shrunk after back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton.

She said the country’s emergency checkbook is down to less than $5 billion.

She and Sen. Jon Ossoff for an infusion of money during a hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations.

Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – It’s been more than two months since Hurricane Helene hit the area leaving behind a path of destruction.

Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson updated the community at a town hall meeting Tuesday night on cleanup efforts in Richmond County.

City leaders are encouraging people to stay patient as crews are weeks away from completing their first pass-through of the county.

Contractors say they’re about 90% done and are getting ready for the next phase, which will start in the new year.

Deborah Jones says she feels like everyone else sees crews picking up debris, but not in her neighborhood.

“They don’t come up the street, they stop at one location, and then they’re gone, and you don’t see them again,” says Jones, an Augusta citizen. “So, I guess I’m like everybody else. When is it going to happen?”

With 1.9 million cubic yards of debris collected and only weeks from completing an entire pass-through of the county, residents like Sheila Spivey say they see the progress.

“I see them go up and down, Walter Way up and down, Heard Avenue up to south Augusta,” says Spivey, an Augusta citizen. “They’re doing what they can, but it is a big job.”

City leaders say the plan is more than just debris removal, they’re now making bids toward a long-term recovery contract to rebuild Augusta.

“That means everything that’s been going on, from degree to mitigation to rebuilding, to all our respective agencies that we can discuss our HUD applications, our funding that’s going to be there to oversee to make sure that we can get Augusta back to where it originally was,” says Tameka Allen, Augusta city administrator.

A plan residents say they’re ready to see the other end of as many just want normalcy back on their property lines.

“My front yard is covered in debris, so I can’t see out of my front yard,” says Jones. “We can’t do anything in our yard because of the debris. So, I’m trying to be patient, but it’s kind of hard.”

City leaders say the next phase will involve removing larger debris normal trucks can’t pick up as well as getting rid of construction-based debris.

They say although there are about 15 days left on the FEMA deadline, they will continue the work until everything is done.

If you missed this town hall meeting, another will take place on Dec. 17 at Diamond Lakes at 6 p.m.

Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -The Augusta town hall on recovery from Hurricane Helene is underway.

City leadership is gathering to provide an update on where we are, going on three months since the storm.

We were out in some of our harder-hit neighborhoods on Tuesday and there are many mixed emotions about how people feel about where the city stands after the hurricane.

People are bringing their questions with them and some even submitted them ahead of time.

All asking about debris pick up, wire and cable collection, recycling and construction debris.

And local leaders say they are ready to answer any questions people might have.

“This is going to last well into 2025, and I think we need to set realistic expectations with everybody on what’s going on,” said Sean Frantom, District 7 commissioner.

It has been more than 70 days since the hurricane and more than 70 days of people waiting for the city to get back to a new normal, but local leaders say it takes time.

“People have to understand that the resources are spread between Florida, Georgia and even Columbia County and that there’s only so many resources to go around,” said Frantom.

He thinks they’re making good progress and is hoping the meetings will help explain how.

“We just opened up a new site off Sand Bar Ferry Road for that,” said Frantom. “We’re getting about 11,000 cubic yards each day going there to try to lighten the load over at Eisenhower. As far as like, where we are as a community, I think we’re doing very well, but this is going to be a process that people just got to be patient with.”

All while also trying to clear confusion and relieve any stress.

“FEMA is the paying agency. These are contractors to the contractor that we’ve hired to come and do this,” said Frantom. “We have over 80 trucks right now moving through the community. They’re going to come back, but if things are not at the road, they’re not going to be picked up.”

While reminding everyone that those who are helping us are people too.

“We’ve picked up 1.8 million cubic yards. I think the only day they’ve taken off is Thanksgiving,” said Frantom. They’re going to take off some days around Christmas, and people are going to be like, ‘Where are they?’ ‘Why hasn’t this been picked up?’ people are having Christmas parties, and they think that the medians and everything is going to be clear, so people can park there. Unfortunately, just not going to happen. I mean, and I think when you have a little grace and appreciate these people, because they’ve been in our community for 80 days now, nonstop, and they’re doing an incredible job, but it’s just going to take time.”

Even though the FEMA deadline is approaching, they are trying to get it extended.

Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.