Augusta, GA
Missouri DR volunteers help IMB missionary after tree falls on stateside home in Georgia
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Hurricane Helene was described by one official as a 400-mile-wide tornado, … which isn’t too far from reality. So, even though Asheville, N.C., has gotten much of the media’s attention, there’s been no less damage in neighboring states. That’s certainly the case in Augusta, Georgia — just 180 miles from Asheville — where volunteers with Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief (MODR) have been working since Sept. 26.
“I would describe it as one big debris field,” said Toby Tucker, who served as the white hat (team leader) during Missouri’s first deployment. “Consequently, our immediate focus was on feeding people who had been displaced or weren’t able to fix meals due to the power outages. The other priority has been removing trees from homes and driveways, and tarping roofs so they don’t leak and cause more damage.”
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Hurricane Helene toppled trees on homes here, including on the stateside home of one International Mission Board missionary currently serving in Africa. A Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief chainsaw crew was happy to support this Southern Baptist missionary by removing the fallen tree. (MODR photo)
Tucker said that the mass feeding team was initially preparing as many as 10,000 meals per day in cooperation with the Red Cross and has distributed 816 cases of water. However, the number of meals has been declining as power has returned to some areas. After preparing 85,000 meals, the mass feeding team closed down, Oct. 12, although other recovery efforts are in full force. Nearly 700 work orders, at press time, had come in for help with tree removal, clean-up and tarping.
While the work of Southern Baptist Disaster Relief often serves as a witness to those who don’t know Jesus, it can also be a blessing to those who do. A case in point, involved a missionary serving halfway around the world in Kenya, Africa.
“One of our personnel in Kenya sent me a message saying that individuals with the Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief team serving in Augusta, Ga., helped remove trees from the roof of his house in the U.S. after the hurricane,” said Kevin Moots, with the International Mission Board in Uganda, Africa, who is currently serving as a logistics coordinator.
Apparently, a neighbor had contacted him about the effects of the hurricane and told him about the trees on the house.
“I’m from Lebanon, Mo., myself, and I was thankful to God to hear that story and how God has used chainsaw crews from Missouri over the years,” Moots added. “I can’t tell you what peace that gave our staff member as he’s serving with his family in Nairobi, Kenya.”
Tucker added, “In addition to the Spirit kitchen and the chainsaw crews, we also have two shower units from Missouri on site, as well as one laundry unit. Best of all, there are over 100 DR volunteers here from throughout the U.S. That includes people from Georgia, Wisconsin, Missouri, Michigan, Illinois, Montana, Minnesota, Kansas, Texas and Nebraska. And the Fleming Baptist Church, which has been the base for operations, has been very accommodating to the point of opening up more rooms and part of the sanctuary as more workers have arrived.
“As a result, things have been moving pretty quickly,” he added. “By early October, we had already served over 75,000 meals; completed around 70 work orders, and assessors have already visited with the homeowners on a large portion of the work orders we have received.”
According to Gaylon Moss, MODR director, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief teams have been busy in every state affected by Hurricane Helene. All told, nationally, over 3,200 volunteers had responded to the disaster by early October; more than 600,000 meals have been served, and more than 800 homeowners were assisted with flood or chainsaw clean-up or roof tarping. Equally important, more than 500 gospel conversations were made, and there were 56 professions of faith.
“There’s still a lot of work left to complete, Moss concluded. “So, continue to pray for all those affected by both hurricanes as we strive to bring Help, Hope and Healing to the hundreds of people who are hurting.”
To donate to Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief or to help support hurricane relief, go to modr.org/give and select Hurricane Helene from the drop-down menu on the website: text “Helene” to 573-433-8286, or mail your donation to: Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief, 400 E. High St., Jefferson City, MO 65101.
AUGUSTA, Ga. – A Missouri Baptist crew helps prepare meals for distribution to members of the community here. (MODR photo)
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Dry weather returns to the CSRA for the week ahead with temperatures warming up each day.
After a foggy start Sunday, we should see at least a few breaks in the clouds with highs near average in the upper 50s to lower 60s. Winds will be light from the southeast.
Sunday night looks partly cloudy and cool with overnight lows near 40 degrees. Wind will be calm.
Monday will be a partly sunny and mild day with highs in the middle 60s. Wind will be southwest at 2 to 6 mph.
Tuesday through Thursday…Partly sunny each day and partly cloudy night. Highs will be near 70 Tuesday, warming into the lower to middle 70s Wednesday and Thursday.
Clouds increase a bit Friday, and there could be a shower or two late in the day. Highs Friday will be in the lower to middle 70s.
Keep a close eye on the forecast if you have outdoor plans next weekend, because a frontal system moves in with a decent chance of rain Friday night into Saturday. Highs will be a touch cooler Saturday in the middle 60s.
Keep it here for regular updates and be sure to Download the WRDW First Alert Weather App to have the latest information in the palm of your hand whenever and wherever you need it.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Businesses downtown are reflecting on the past and setting new goals as the new year has arrived.
2025 was a busy year for many businesses on Broad Street, as they had to contend with construction, as well as a new sheriff seeking to make the streets safer.
Art on Broad spoke about what they’re looking forward to this year.
“We are just looking forward to putting all of the madness of the holidays behind us and continuing to see our everyday regular patrons, and then the new customers that come in, because they’re here for a convention or maybe they’re passing through on a road trip. And I feel confident that we’ll continue to see good business throughout the year,” said Catherine Alexander, business manager for Art on Broad.
Coming up at News 12 at 11 p.m., we’ll talk to more businesses about what they are looking forward to in the new year, as well as what worked for them in 2025.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A 28-year-old man wanted in connection to two separate shootings this month has been arrested.
One of the shootings occurred on Dec. 26 and the other on Dec. 4, officials say.
The suspect, identified as Dennis Berrien, was already wanted for aggravated assault in connection with the shooting on Dec. 4 and is now also charged in the Dec. 26 incident, after which he was arrested.
On Dec. 4, deputies received reports that Berrien had been involved in an argument with his girlfriend, according to the sheriff’s office.
During the altercation, Berrien reportedly fired at least three shots in her direction before fleeing the scene. He left behind a damaged vehicle belonging to his girlfriend’s grandmother, deputies say.
On Dec. 26, investigators determined Berrien shot another person, critically injuring him, near the 2300 block of Winston Way, according to authorities.
Deputies and investigators say they quickly established a perimeter and began the initial investigation. Witnesses described the suspect, and with the help of K9 units, drones and surveillance cameras of nearby businesses, they were able to track Berrien.
Deputies located Berrien at the AM PM gas station as he exited the restroom, wearing clothing consistent with the witness description.
During the encounter, Berrien provided a false name and date of birth to an investigator, after which a corporal used a fingerprint scanner, which confirmed Berrien’s true identity, officials say. He was taken into custody without incident.
In the previous year to date of Dec. 26, the sheriff’s office reports 176 aggravated assaults with a gun compared to 269 at this time last year, a 35% decrease.
Additionally, the sheriff’s office reports 32 homicides this year compared to 49 last year to date, also a 35% decrease.
They say having more boots on the ground, combined with high visibility and technology, has been a huge asset in the past year.
“This arrest highlights the strength of our coordinated response and the professionalism of our deputies. From patrol to investigators, K9 handlers, and the use of technology like drones and fingerprint scanners, our team worked seamlessly to take a dangerous individual into custody without further harm to the public,” Sheriff Eugene Brantley said.
Berrien is currently in custody and faces two aggravated assault, criminal trespass, and possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of a crime charges. There may be more charges as the investigations continue.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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