Augusta, GA
Over 70 days later, here’s where Augusta stands with debris cleanup
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – It’s been nearly 2½ months since Hurricane Helene tore through the Southeast, and debris is still a major concern for many people.
For many, this winter is going to look and feel different as damage is still being uncovered.
Augusta is still hard at work clearing away debris ahead of FEMA’s deadline.
City leaders say they are working to get Augusta back to a new normal and are even having meetings this month to prove it.
The first one is on Tuesday.
“I realize there’s a lot of anxiety happening now, as we get ready to enter the holiday season and some people still have piles in their yards or on their streets,” said Garnett Johnson, Augusta Mayor.
Johnson says so far they have picked up 1.8 million cubic yards of debris.
“We are still, I don’t want to say struggling but keep in mind, this storm was so large it affected not only Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas,” said Johnson. “There are only so many debris companies that are out there.”
The damage that we still see isn’t just on homes and piled up on roadways.
“It’s that time of year when many loved ones are concerned about the final rest and pace place of their loved ones, so we’re out doing an assessment of the city-owned cemeteries,” he said.
What Johnson is talking about is the fallen trees, broken headstones and damage all across the cemeteries.
He is looking to solve that problem while also seeing how else he can help out the city.
As the city works to get back to a new normal he says he understands that people are worried about their loved ones both in and outside of these gates.
“This storm recovery is going to go far beyond just cleaning up the debris,” said Johnson. “There’s so many different aspects from a long-term recovery perspective that we’re already starting to address. So we’re going to ask people to continue to be patient and continue to remind yourselves of where we were on Sept. 27 compared to where we are now.”
The city is having two meetings this month to answer questions about cleanup and where the city stands.
“We want to make sure that they’re aware of the process and the work that we’re doing,” he said. “We’re also going to have our debris contractors there, as well as many city departments that are going to educate our citizens on the process and what to expect.”
Everything is still a work in process and will have more answers at the meetings this month.
Johnson and other officials will hold two town hall meetings on recovery efforts this week and next week.
The first one is on Tuesday at the Warren Road Community Center from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The second one is Tuesday, Dec. 17 at Diamond Lakes from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
There will be a question and answer session at both meetings.
If you are unable to attend, both events will be live-streamed.
Questions can be submitted by emailing mayorforms@augustaga.gov
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Now that kids are back in school after the holiday break, many organizations are giving supplies away for free.
On Saturday, Purvis Huggins Realty partnered with Greater Young Zion Brotherhood to give students the opportunity to restock.
They say by the time January rolls around, students are likely out of supplies.
“I spoke with someone about it a year ago. It was one of the teachers I know, and she was telling me that by the time the school season starts, they have a lot of materials. But by the time they get to the middle of the year, they’re out,” said Purvis Huggins, owner of Purvis Huggins Realty.
In each bag, students got paper, pencils, notebooks and other items based on their grade.
Students were also able to get a haircut and snack while at the event.
Huggins says they plan to do a supply giveaway twice a year.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – On Tuesday, Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson will deliver the 2025 State of the City address.
It will be held at the Lee N. Beard Commission Chamber, located at 535 Telfair Street, at 12 p.m.
The address will be delivered prior to the Augusta Commission meeting.
Officials say it will highlight Augusta-Richmond County’s accomplishments from 2024 and will outline initiatives planned for 2025.
The address is free and will be open to the public. It will also be live streamed for those unable to attend in-person.
Officials say the Office of the Mayor is monitoring the possibility of inclement weather.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Winter weather could be heading towards the CSRA again, and the Georgia Department of Transportation says they are preparing for it.
GDOT says they are actively preparing and coordinating brine operations, equipment and materials to respond to the pending threat by treating hundreds of interstate and state route lane miles across the state.
Officials with GDOT say, unlike last week’s winter storm, this one has the potential to impact central Georgia′s entire 27-county area.
Because of the large area that could be impacted, G-DOT says treatment plans are being driven by priority.
Prior to the weather system’s arrival, crews will apply brine solutions to interstates, state routes, bridges, and overpasses in anticipation of freezing rain, sleet, ice, and snow.
Brine is a solution of salt and water used to decrease the probability of freezing under certain conditions.
GDOT crews are scheduled to begin brine operations on Sunday at 7 a.m. GDOT maintenance forces will begin by bringing I-20, I-520, and I-16. A GDOT contractor will focus on high-priority, multi-lane state routes.
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- Keep your pipes from bursting in freezing weather
- How to prepare your home for major freeze
Officials say their highest priorities are I-20, I-16, and Bobby Jones Expressway, followed by high-priority multi-lane state routes, including US 1, US 25, US 441, and SR 540.
GDOT officials want to remind you:
- Brine operations could be delayed depending on weather conditions. The road temperature must be at least 20 degrees to successfully apply brine. Brine tanks remain full across the district after last week’s winter weather event. However, crews will be prepared to mix more brine solutions as needed.
- Be aware of the brine trucks and know they must travel 40 miles per hour to properly apply the treatment.
- Pay attention and stay back at least 100 feet. All drivers in the district are asked to start making plans now to limit travel next week in case winter weather impacts the area.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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