AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – On Wednesday, U.S. Representative Jim Clyburn was in Augusta, helping give out resources to Helene victims.

Clyburn was also campaigning for the Harris-Walz campaign.

He says as a representative of Charleston, he knows what hurricanes can do to a community.

“I’ve always said as a former history teacher, the best instructor is experienced, and I am here today because I have experienced what is being an experience of this community today. I am here to demonstrate how I think people ought to act and react,” said Clyburn.

He adds it’s important for people to come together during these times to help one another.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Dozens of families are waiting on new roofs before they can return to their homes in the Walton Way neighborhoods.

Others will wait even longer.

Destruction is severe in the Walton Way community — some homes will have to be bulldozed down and rebuilt.

Roofs covered in tarps are a common sight along Walton Way.

Unfortunately, it’s not going to change anytime soon due to roofers being booked weeks out.

A drive down Walton Way feels a lot like trying to navigate the road back to normal.

Joseph Coleman, owner of Black Dog Roofing, returned to Augusta as soon as he heard about the destruction in his old neighborhood.

“Feels a little helpless so not a lot we could do so got chainsaws and try to open up the roads to help people,” said Coleman.

The streets around Walton Way are an obstacle course, but now drivable enough for Coleman and his crews to help provide his hometown with a much-needed service.

“This is a complete roof replacement. About a week ago, there was a pine tree through the roof. We take everything off, assess the wood underneath, replace anything that needs to be replaced and then go back with new shingles,” said Coleman.

His roofing company is based out of Athens.

We do about two roofs a day, so we are about two weeks out,” he said.

He’s already booked to replace roofs on 35 other homes in the neighborhood.

“I know in a time like this, it can feel like you want to get a roofer really quickly, but we are talking a 30-to-40-year roof and this is what’s protecting your home,” said Coleman.

Which is why it’s worth the wait for a good roofing company.

“First reach out to the insurance company if you have damage. They’re going to send an adjuster out to look at your roof. They then can link you up with a roofing company or hop onto Google. Google reviews are the best way to verify a roofer,” said Coleman.

Unlike general contractors, there is no licensing requirement for roofers, but a roofing company should still have a business license, liability insurance and workers comp.

“Code upgrades are a big thing around here for instance you have to have drip edge as of January 1, 2014. It’s a metal piece that goes around all the rakes and eaves of the perimeter of the roof. That’s code requirement,” he said.

Try to stick with someone local.

They’re more likely to be familiar with the state’s building codes.

“There are so many reputable companies in Augusta so I think all of them are going to give really great roofs in this time,” said Coleman.

Shingle by shingle, roof by roof, helping rebuild Augusta.

A contract with a roofing company should detail the exact scope of the work- do not sign it unless it does that.

Also, keep in mind, that your roof should last 20-25 years so read through that warranty.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta and parts of the CSRA look very different than a week ago. Every other curb is packed full of tree limbs and crews are heading out to clear thousands of cubic yards worth of debris.

Some neighborhoods are now unrecognizable in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

“It was heartbreaking to see so much destruction around you and mostly with people you know,” said Augsuta resident Lilo Benzicron.

It all hits too close to home for Lilo and his wife Klara Banzicron.

“She would have been hurt, she would have been right where it fell off from the tower, and then it would have, you see the window fell right in her bed,” said Lilo.

Their daughter wasn’t home during the storm, sparring this family from losing something irreplaceable.

“The other things, it’s just replaceable items. we just go through this cycle of headaches, dealing with people, dealing with this, dealing with that,” said Lilo.

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From the looks of it, you would think the storm just happened. That just goes to show how long it’s going to take to clean up around here.

“We are fortunate nothing happened to us physically, but then, you know, after what happened, then you start realizing all these necessities that you are accustomed to having,” said Lilo.

The one thing you can’t replace is life.

“We want to still have that peace here. We want to have this place rebuilt you know, in any way we can help and talk about things,” said Lilo.

PHOTO GALLERY | U.S. FIRE ADMINISTRATION CHIEF VISITS:

Columbia County says they have six derbis sites and are looking to add two more. They say they have about 44 trucks out moving debris.

Aiken County says now that the roads have been mostly cleared, the county is transitioning into the debris cleanup phase.

The collection sites are being finalized now and they aim to start collection on county-owned roads soon.

We have spoken to officials in Richmond, Columbia and Aiken counties, and they all say to leave the debris by the road but do not block the road.

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