Augusta, GA

On Your Side: Where you can get help with tree, debris removal

Published

29 mins ago

October 9, 2024

Press Room

On Your Side: Where you can get help with tree, debris removal

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Cleanup continues in the CSRA after the storm left behind a path of destruction.

Tree companies from as far as Atlanta are helping with cleanup efforts.

But what does it cost you to pay for these cleanup crews?

To name a few, Stallions Tree Professionals says it can cost you anywhere from a couple thousand to $10,000 depending on the type of tree, how many and the equipment needed for removal.

Craigs Tree Service and Graniteville Tree Services also hover around the $4,000 to $7,000 range.

Homeowners are scrambling to overcome these unexpected expenses.

Teresa Waters is one of the many impacted and she says it has left a lasting impression on her home.

“You can see it kind of crushed, I mean, really not, not terrible, but it crushed that,” says Waters. “And there are holes in the roof.”

Waters says she’s fortunate outside help is bringing resources to Augusta to aid in cleaning up the mess.

“The first three, four, five days it felt like the world didn’t know what was going on here, and you just couldn’t get anything,” says Waters. “And the power was out. But then it’s like all these people have descended on Augusta to help us.”

Tree removal companies say the need is growing and it will be a while until the look of the Garden City is back under control.

“We’ll probably be here one crew until December, maybe longer, says Morgan Jones, Vice President of Don’s Tree Service. “There’s a lot of trees down.“

John King, The Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, says with all the outside help coming in it’s as important as ever to protect yourself from scammers.

“Deal with somebody locally, somebody you know, somebody that you knowtheir reputation, that they’re going to finish the job and they’re going to do exactly what you hire them to do,” says King.

Waters says she knows it’s just the beginning of clean-up, but she’s confident Augusta will stay strong.

“The people support each other, and because of that, we’re going to come back better than ever,” says Waters.

The Georgia Department of Insurance and Safety Fire is also urging people not to let contractors directly negotiate with insurance companies.

They say many people take advantage and leave nothing left for you to claim on your policy.

You can reach out to the office if you feel fraudulent activity is being done.

Here is the link you can use to report fraudulent insurance activity by contractors: https://oci.georgia.gov/

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Augusta, GA

Man wanted in aggravated assault on Wrightsboro Road in Augusta

Published

8 hours ago

October 8, 2024

Press Room

Man wanted in aggravated assault on Wrightsboro Road in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A 37-year-old man is wanted in connection to an aggravated assault, according to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities say Gregory Leon Douse Jr. is wanted in an aggravated assault case that occurred on Oct. 3 on Wrightsboro Road in Augusta.

Douse has active warrants on file for this incident, officials say.

Douse should be considered armed and dangerous.

The sheriff’s office says he is described as 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 200 pounds.

If you have information on Douse, contact investigator Boshna Williams at 706-821-1456 or any on duty investigator at the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at 706-821-1020 or 706-821-1080.

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Augusta, GA

Hurricane Helene brings new boom in mosquitoes for CSRA

Published

20 hours ago

October 8, 2024

Press Room

Hurricane Helene brings new boom in mosquitoes for CSRA

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Like Tropical Storm Debby before it, Hurricane Helene has brought a boom in mosquitoes.

The full day of rain beforehand and heavy rain during the Sept. 27 storm have created the perfect breeding conditions for the disease-carrying bloodsuckers, and they’re making their presence known.

Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson said at a news conference Monday that the city started spraying for them on Monday and will continue to do so.

He urged people to apply insect repellent before going outside.

Standing water is just the kind of place mosquitoes want to lay eggs.

It’s likely to be a problem across the CSRA.

“Mosquitoes can lay eggs in small amounts of water, so it’s very important to get rid of standing water that can accumulate in buckets, flowerpots, grill covers, tires, trashcan lids, toys and yard decorations or debris,” said Dr. Chris Evans, South Carolina state public health entomologist. “Using dirt or cement to fill in low places such as tire ruts or puddles is important to prevent those areas from accumulating storm water. Removing or preventing standing water are some of the most effective ways to reduce mosquito populations at home and in your community, which in turn reduces the risk for disease spread through their bites.”

In Thomson, emergency meals have arrived at the Georgia Emergency Management Agency disaster...

Mosquitoes aren’t just irritating; they’re a disease-carrying public health risk:

Perhaps the best known disease they carry is West Nile virus.
Mosquito-spread dengue fever is already on the rise across the region.
Mosquitoes carry heartworms, which are endemic in the region, endangering the lives of beloved family pets.

There are at least 61 different species of mosquitoes in the region, but not all of them bite people, Evans said.

All about mosquitoes

Here’s what the experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say about the pests:

Mosquito bite signs

A puffy and reddish bump appearing a few minutes after the bite
A hard, itchy, reddish-brown bump, or multiple bumps appearing a day or so after the bite or bites
Small blisters instead of hard bumps
Dark spots that look like bruises

Severe reactions can occur

In children
In adults bitten by mosquito species they haven’t been exposed to previously
In people with immune system disorders

More severe reactions

A large area of swelling and redness
Low-grade fever
Hives
Swollen lymph nodes

Infected bite

Do not scratch bites. They can become infected.
An infected bite may appear red, feel warm, or a red streak may spread outward from the bite.
See a health care provider if symptoms worsen.

Prevention

Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out any items that hold water like tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, or trash containers. Mosquitoes lay eggs near water.
Tightly cover water storage containers (buckets, cisterns, rain barrels) so mosquitoes cannot get inside to lay eggs.
For containers without lids, use wire mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito.
Fill tree holes to prevent them from filling with water.
Repair cracks or gaps in your septic tank if you have one. Cover open vent or plumbing pipes. Use wire mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito.
Use larvicides to treat large bodies of water that will not be used for drinking and cannot be covered or dumped out.
When using larvicides, always follow label instructions.
Drain and turn over kiddie pools.
Use an outdoor adulticide to kill adult mosquitoes in areas where they rest.
Mosquitoes rest in dark, humid areas like under patio furniture or under the carport or garage.
When using adulticides, always follow label instructions.
Install or repair and use window and door screens.
Close doors, including garage doors. Do not leave doors propped open.
Use air conditioning when possible.