Residents of the Augusta-Aiken area are reeling from the impact of Hurricane Helene, which left a trail of destruction across the region. Many neighborhoods are grappling with extensive damage, power outages, and the emotional toll of the storm.
Victoria Perbetsky described the devastation in Fox Run, Martinez, where entire homes were destroyed. “It’s so depressing,” she said, but noted the community’s resilience as neighbors banded together to clear fallen trees from the streets. “I’ve never been so scared in my life.”
Wendell Johnson, a retired sheriff’s deputy in Evans, voiced frustration over the lack of preparedness. “No one was ready for this,” he said, emphasizing the struggle residents faced to find fuel and food.
Lauren Dixon reported similar challenges in Burke County, where widespread power outages left many without access to basic necessities, and she expressed concerns over a lack of emergency alerts during the storm.
Alison Tanner shared a close call, as a tree narrowly missed her daughter’s bedroom, while Barbara Bronson reported significant damage to her brother’s home. Jennie Salvesen recounted a terrifying moment when a tree fell near her as she sat on her porch, and she described the destruction in her backyard.
Residents like Betty Gray faced personal losses, describing the experience as life-altering. “I have lost everything,” she said, expressing gratitude that she and her grandchild were safe.
Jenni Greenleaf highlighted the dangers in her neighborhood, including a gas leak from a broken line, making access to essentials impossible.
The chaos extended to everyday life, with many struggling to find food and water. Amanda Christmas lamented the inability to cash paychecks to buy necessary supplies, while Sakayla Allen described severe flooding in her home and a lack of power.
In North Augusta, Katelyn Bennett reflected on the unprecedented nature of the storm, saying, “No one was prepared for the extent of the damage this storm caused. It’s beyond anything I’ve seen in my whole 30 years of life.”
Patricia Ringgold counted her blessings, noting that although several trees fell in her yard, none damaged her home.
Local residents are working tirelessly to restore some semblance of normalcy, with many taking to chainsaws and sharing resources to clear roads. Bea Meadows shared her struggles with power loss since early morning, while others like Bert Redd Rooks are relying on fire pits to cook.
