Augusta, GA
Out-of-state volunteers continue Hurricane Helene cleanup in Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – More than a year after Hurricane Helene devastated the area, volunteers from across the country continue cleanup efforts in Augusta, helping families rebuild their lives one home at a time.
Annie Thompson remembers her daughter’s house well. But on the early morning of September 27, everything changed.
“When the tree came, it came; that window came all the way through. It came right here, really close to where they were sitting,” Thompson said.
The home was supposed to be their safe place after losing a home to a tornado in Burke County and another to a fire. But Helene crushed those hopes. The house now sits unrecognizable, having been destroyed for more than a year while the family looked for an answer on how they could move back in.
That answer came from an unexpected place. Dale Sink and his group of volunteers with Christian Disaster Services are working on houses across Augusta, a year and a half later.
“It’s rewarding to help somebody who needs help,” said Sink, whose life’s work is helping people with nowhere else to turn.
The crew has experience with major disasters. “Hurricane Katrina. And then after that, we were in Joplin, Missouri, where a tornado went through there,” Sink said.
This crew has been a lifeline for Annie’s family, fixing their home plank by plank at no cost. But they’re not the only ones still rebuilding the community.
More than 100 volunteer workers gathered under one roof for a dinner in South Augusta. The Greater Augusta Long Term Recovery Committee recognizes the work they’ve put in.
“We are eternally grateful for your sacrifice to be here, we thank you and I tell everybody… you are angels to us,” said Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson.
Deke Copenhaver, executive director of the Greater Augusta Long Term Recovery Committee, said the work continues to make a difference.
“To see the homeowners, once again, people that had trees on their house for over a year, that probably thought they were never going to get assistance, but we will continue to do this work as long as it takes,” Copenhaver said.
The celebration served as a show of thanks as people from across the country continued to pour in to restore lives and community.
The effort is managed through the United Methodist Committee on Relief and the Greater Augusta Long Term Recovery Committee. On Wednesday, they had 80 volunteers working 18 different sites, with relief and rebuilding still flowing through the community.
More information on the work being done and how to donate can be found at https://cfcsra.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=4432
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A traffic stop attempt by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office ended in a rollover crash Friday afternoon after the driver refused to stop, authorities said.
Deputies attempted to stop the red 2017 Honda Civic around 2:22 p.m. on Peach Orchard Road near Mike Padgett Highway, according to the sheriff’s office. The driver continued south on Mike Padgett Highway before traveling east on Marvin Griffin Road, deputies said.
The pursuit ended near Marvin Griffin Road and Doug Barnard Parkway when the driver lost control, went into a ditch and crashed through a fence at the Augusta Water Works Wastewater Treatment Facility, according to authorities. The car overturned.
The driver had visible injuries that were described as non-life-threatening and was taken to a local hospital for treatment, the sheriff’s office said.
Authorities said warrants will be served after the driver is released from the hospital. Charges are expected to include multiple traffic violations, including felony fleeing or attempting to elude and DUI.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – The VA Augusta Healthcare System cut the ribbon on its new emergency ambulance service on Thursday.
The in-house medical transportation program is designed to ensure specialized care for veterans with complex medical needs.
“So we have two new ambulances that we have put into service officially,” said James Doelling, the interim executive director of VA Augusta Healthcare System. “This is for us to be able to, through patient safety and get veterans where they need to be, when they need to be, to make sure we’re given the best care anywhere in our nation’s heroes. We’re really excited. As you are aware, we are the only four star facility in the Augusta area, and this is only going to make us even better and deliver exceptional care to our heroes.”
The VA said it hopes the service will reduce delays and better support veterans.
Photojournalist credit: Dania Alawir
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A driver is in custody after leading Richmond County deputies on a chase that ended in a rollover crash Thursday evening.
Richmond County Sheriff’s Office deputies say they attempted to stop a black BMW sedan with no registration plate on Tubman Home Road at Gordon Highway around 6:30 p.m.
The driver, Willie Junior Brown, 33, failed to stop and led deputies on a pursuit, according law enforcement.
Deputies say Brown lost control of the vehicle on the 2500 block of Blueberry Drive, striking an unoccupied 1999 Chevrolet Silverado.
Brown’s vehicle rolled over and he then attempted to flee on foot before being taken into custody.
Deputies say Brown was transported to a hospital for treatment.
Several criminal charges are forthcoming and the investigation is ongoing.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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