Augusta, GA
New FEMA center opens for Helene victims in Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – FEMA has been boots on the ground in our community for the last two weeks after Hurricane Helene.
But now, they have a more semi-permanent place in our community.
It’s all happening at the HUB in Augusta.
The new Disaster Recovery Center will be opening on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Helene left widespread damage across our area. Debris is in the process of being removed by various counties.
Since then, some people have been putting in damage claims both with insurers and FEMA.
Now, Jovanna Garcia, media relations specialist for FEMA, says it’s important for them to be in direct contact with people like you who have been impacted by Helene.
“We’ve been here since day one, since the beginning. Actually, pre-positioned before the hurricane hit. But the thing is that in order for families and those that were impacted to feel that a sense of us being here, a sense of us here to help, having this community center here, localized in an area that has been heavily impacted, but it’s also accessible for a lot of people to receive assistance,” said Garcia. “We don’t know exactly how long we’ll be here, but FEMA is not going to leave. We’re here to stay until everyone receives the assistance necessary for them to start their recovery process.”
She says they want people to come to the center and register with FEMA.
You can update and check your registration there.
Garcia says these are the top things to do when applying for FEMA assistance:
- File a claim with your insurance company
- Register with FEMA Follow up with FEMA
- Meet with an inspector
- Keep up with your information with FEMA.
Garcia also had important advice as the process goes on.
“The most important thing is that once they register, they have to keep up with their information updates. They’re going to get a call from an inspector, and inspectors got to come out to the home. But the biggest thing is staying informed with us,” she said.
If you get a determination letter or need to follow up with documents, you can go to the center as well.
If you cannot get there, you can call 800-621-3362 or visit disasterassistance.gov. There are options for different languages if needed.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The second annual Juneteenth trail ride took place on Old Waynesboro Road in Augusta on Saturday.
The event featured trail rides with horses and ATVs, a mechanical bull contest and music.
People shopped at vendors, and there was entertainment for kids, including a petting zoo, inflatables and games.
“It’s really a privilege just to be able to have the opportunity to share my space, to share my area, and to share for an event with so much value, to give back to my community and a place to celebrate,” said Davon Wallace, chief of operations at Crimson Hills.
Wallace said they will be hosting more events, with a haunted trail coming in October.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) — The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has made multiple arrests in a deadly shooting that left one teenager dead and another injured early Saturday morning.
According to deputies, the incident happened June 20, at approximately 12:50 a.m. in the 200 block of Warren Road, where authorities responded to reports of shots fired involving two gunshot victims.
When deputies arrived, they located two 18-year-old men from Augusta.
Officials identified the victims as Eric Markquis Bartley Miller and Joseph Lamar Thomas.
Investigators say Miller sustained at least one gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Thomas was also found with at least one gunshot wound and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under active investigation.
As of Saturday afternoon, three teenage suspects have been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
18-year-old Dmihjay Collins, 17-year-old Tayshaun Thomas, and 17-year-old Joseph Thomas have all been arrested and charged with Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of Machine Guns. They are all currently being held at the Webster Detention Center.
A fourth teenager, 17-year-old Reante Byrd was also arrested, but investigators have not linked him to the murder case. Byrd has been charged with Possession of a Pistol or Revolver by a Person Under the Age of 18. He is also being held in the Webster Detention Center.
No further details in the investigation have been released.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Students showcased drones they built during a two-week summer camp at Augusta Regional Airport on Friday.
12 junior and high school students attended the camp, where they learned to fly and build drones designed to help others.
Anderson Puryear, a student, said the camp focused on delivering small medical supplies.
“It was focused on delivering small medical supplies like an EPI pen or glucose packet for like diabetics and for people with allergies in need in the real world that could obviously help save lives, and if people are like in a place in a boat or like in the desert or in the forest where they can’t easily access those supplies it can save their lives,” Puryear said.
The airport partnered with Georgia Tech, state troopers and the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Department for the Air Edu Summer Camp.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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