Augusta, GA

Local roofing companies continue to see delays after Helene

Published

1 year ago

November 8, 2024

Local roofing companies continue to see delays after Helene

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – We are seeing rain for the first time in more than a month, adding more concern for those who are still dealing with structural damage after Hurricane Helene.

Local roofing companies are challenged with keeping the demand of roofing needs.

For the last month, people have been just worried about what’s in front of them on the ground with debris. But after the last couple of days, the battle is leaks on their roofs.

Roofing companies say the urgency for repairs is growing with more weather coming in the future and only having limited resources to fix it.

Tarp is becoming the new style for hundreds of people’s roofs.

Augusta resident, Susan Wyatt, says the heavy rain was the first real test for her roof after Helene. It’s a test that failed.

“We had the mop this morning and everything. Put a bucket, still can drip and drip, and it all changed the color of the ceiling again,” said Wyatt.

Wyatt says she’s not alone.

“Everybody’s trying to find the roofers and getting their houses redone. And one friend up there has got very bad damage in the back of their house,” said Wyatt.

Contractors say their workload was already overwhelming after the storm, but now it’s on another level.

“Now, homeowners are dealing with water pouring into their houses, you know. So, it’s a lot more demanding as far as it’s got to be done,” said Daniel Williams, general manager of Best Choice Roofing in Augusta.

Roofing companies like Brighter Side Roofing and Best Choice Roofing say they went from 15-20 jobs a month to now facing hundreds.

But they’re saying the biggest challenge is not having enough manpower to fulfill in-person estimates, slowing up the scheduling process.

Samuel Leverette, owner of Brighter Side Roofing, said: “A roofing company, we can come out and provide you with estimates. But a lot of times, our estimate may not coincide with what the insurance company is even going to do. So, we, come in, get in touch with your insurance company, go ahead and see exactly what they’re going to cover and not cover, and see what the price, what the cost is going to be.”

Meanwhile, Wyatt and her neighbors are hopeful things pick up down the line, so they have one less thing to worry about post-storm.

“I know the Lord will take care of it,” she said.

The roofing companies we spoke with say the average wait time for roof replacement is six to eight weeks and tarping can be done over a couple of days.

They’re asking for patience and to streamline the process by going through your insurance company first to find out what and how much they will cover with an adjustor’s summary report.

They say roof replacement costs can range anywhere from $8,000 to $14,000.

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Augusta, GA

AU to cut ribbon on new Student Health Services building

Published

7 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

AU to cut ribbon on new Student Health Services building

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta University is set to cut the ribbon on a new Student Health Services building on Friday.

The ribbon cutting will be held at 2:30 p.m. at 1465 Laney Walker Boulevard in Augusta.

The event will showcase the field of college health and the role the services have on students’ personal development and academic success.

The clinic relocated to the new space last month to make way for AU’s advanced research and clinical innovation, according to officials.

At the event, there will also be snacks, interactive games and clinic tours.

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Augusta, GA

Law enforcement converges on home in west Augusta

Published

19 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Law enforcement converges on home in west Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – There was a large law enforcement presence Thursday morning at a home in west Augusta near Fort Gordon.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force were in the area attempting to find a suspect, according to deputies.

Witnesses said around 11:25 a.m. that officers had been surrounding a home at Harper-Franklin Avenue and Covington Court.

That’s in a neighborhood of mostly two-story brick-fronted homes built in the past three or four years just east of Jimmie Dyess Parkway and a couple of blocks north of Gordon Highway.

As noon approached, law enforcement had left.

But a Facebook post from earlier did show a large presence,including marked and unmarked cars, and officers all around the house. A witness said police dogs were on the scene, as well.

News 12 has reached out to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office for information.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta mayoral candidate holds town hall as election season begins

Published

1 day ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Augusta mayoral candidate holds town hall as election season begins

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Steven Kendrick held a town hall on Wednesday at the Henry Brigham Community Center as he prepares to challenge Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson.

Kendrick, who serves as chief deputy tax commissioner for Richmond County, previously ran against Johnson in 2022. The town hall was part of Kendrick’s campaign tour as he seeks to unseat the incumbent mayor.

“Some of the people felt as though we really needed to dig a little deeper and we dug a little deeper,” Kendrick said after the meeting. “But that’s how you gain understanding, where everybody’s not going to agree about everything. Some of them we didn’t agree on. I certainly enjoyed the interaction. I learned some things, and I hope they learned some things as well.”

Multiple Commission seats up for election

The mayoral race is not the only contest facing Richmond County voters. Several Augusta Commission seats are up for election across multiple districts.

District 8 will have a new commissioner because Commissioner Brandon Garrett is term-limited and cannot run again. Michael Cioffi and Evett Williams have filed to run for the District 8 seat.

Districts 2, 4, 6 and 10 are also up for election. Stacy Pulliam currently serves in District 2.

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