Augusta’s curfew has ended and the Georgia National Guard and GEMA are moving on, but much work remains to be done in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
Mayor Garnett Johnson announced the end of the 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew at a Wednesday update on recovery from the storm.
“We feel strongly that we’re in a position right now with the number of traffic signals that we have operational that it’s no longer needed,” Johnson said.
Still Johnson said drivers should remain vigilant because many traffic signals remain inoperative, and utility trucks fill the roads collecting debris and making repairs.
“Keep in mind, we still have a lot of utility trucks and they need the ability to get totes areas,” Johnson said.
Nearly 100% of customers have water and 98% have power now, Johnson said. Utilities Director Wes Byne said anyone with water outages or weak service should report it.
Johnson also responded to recent social media outrage against individuals and families collecting more resources than they or their families need, saying it takes away from those in real need.
“If you don’t need it, don’t come get it,” he said.
Augusta continues to seek ways to fight the mosquitoes that use the debris piles as places to hide and breed, Johnson said, encouraging residents to empty all standing water.
The National Guard is leaving the area and the massive resource center at Southgate is closing its doors Wednesday, but McDonald’s is expected to host a final large distribution there Thursday, Fire Chief and EMA Director Antonio Burden said.
Burden thanked the Guard and McDonald’s and warned the public again against residents burning storm debris.
Augusta is up to about 24 debris-removal trucks in service daily with a goal of about 75, Johnson added. Tuesday the trucks removed some 10,000 cubic yards of debris, up from 5,000 cubic yards Monday, he said.
Augusta must have most of the debris handled within 90 days to ensure 100% reimbursement by FEMA, Johnson said.
“Our ability to recover is still some ways off. There are still a lot of trees that are down,” he said. “There’s still going to be a lot of cleanup.”
Augusta has spent about $6.5 million so far on cleanup with the expectation it will be reimbursed by FEMA. By comparison, the city spent nearly $18 million to remove 736,000 cubic yards of debris left behind by the 2014 ice storm.
