Augustans gain a later curfew – 10 p.m. – while 40% still were without power Thursday, Mayor Garnett Johnson said in an update on the city’s recovery from Hurricane Helene.
Relief centers are receiving and distributing resources to those in need, he said.
“We seem to be getting our sea legs under us,” he said.
Although Augusta remains under a boil water advisory, water service is making progress and it may be “hours” until service is restored to most, he said.
Johnson said the extended 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew will make it easier for those who work later hours or need to run errands.
MORE: Augusta Animal Services launches post-Helene pet food donation drive
To restore power, certain areas will take until as long as Oct. 14, Georgia Power’s latest estimate for some areas, “due to the sheer amount of damage,” Johnson said.
Thank a firefighter
Fire Chief and EMA Director Antonio Burden thanked the firefighters who have been on the front lines of the disaster since it began, and asked others to as well.
In addition to operating points of distribution, or PODs with help from the Georgia National Guard and Richmond County Marshal’s Office, the department is sending community strike teams for those “in dire need” who can’t access the distribution points, Burden said.
Overall, the effort has ample water, both bottled and potable, he said.
The mayor and Burden warned of scams and the chief said a team is looking for scammers.
MORE: Local churches work to provide relief after hurricane devastation
Some claim to be working with FEMA, but FEMA crews won’t be out until next week, Johnson said.
“With a disaster like this there’s always the opportunity for scams,” Johnson said.
Cleanup ongoing
Rather than take it to the landfill, pile storm debris such as trees and limbs on the right-of-way for pickup, he said. Don’t mix it with other types of waste.
“There is an extensive auditing process and exhaustive process as to how it’s done. We don’t want to endanger our chances of getting 100% reimbursed,” Johnson said.
Garbage collection has been in a “recovery” week where pickups have been hit or miss, Engineering Director Hameed Malik said.
Regular collection, including household, yard and bulky waste and recycling, will begin next week, he said.
Steve Cassell, with Infrastructure Systems Management said his firm has 40 crews out working 20 zones attempting to get all roads cleared for traffic. Contract debris removal begins next week, Cassell said.
“By the end of next week, you’ll be seeing an army of these trucks all over the place,” he said.
Homeowners should pile storm debris on the right-of-way away from water meters, storm drains and utilities, he said.
Cassell estimated cleanup would take “about two months.”
More storm updates
The number of deaths stands at seven, Coroner Mark Bowen said, adding the number could increase as recovery continues.
In addition to ongoing court cancellations this week, juries summoned for trials for the weeks of Oct. 7 and Oct. 14 are excused. They are excused from their summonses and do not have to call the juror information line for any instruction.
Volunteers are needed to support storm relief efforts. Any individuals, civic organizations or businesses interested in serving may do so by registering at this link. https://forms.augustaga.gov/Forms/helenevolunteer .
FEMA aid available
Gov. Brian Kemp announced Wednesday residents in 41 Georgia counties affected by Hurricane Helene are now eligible to apply for FEMA disaster assistance.
The major disaster declaration provides individual assistance and public assistance to Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Bulloch, Burke, Candler, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Echols, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Liberty, Lincoln, Lowndes, McDuffie, Montgomery, Pierce, Richmond, Screven, Tattnall, Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Washington and Wheeler counties.
Individual Assistance may include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, immediate housing and food needs, and other programs.
Individuals in these designated counties can apply for assistance in any of the following ways:
- Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
- Calling 1-800-621-3362
- People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585.
