A month after Helene, CSRA recovery efforts are still underway

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Tons of debris are slowly being turned into mulch, a month after what many are calling the worst storm to ever hit our area.

It’s been a month since Hurricane Helene changed both lives and landscapes, but some people say it still feels like there’s a long road to recovery.

Ivan Bolgla is a retired battalion fire chief.

He says he has never seen anything like Hurricane Helene.

“Not since the ice storm. That was the worst thing I had ever seen in the fire department. But this is the worst thing I have ever seen or experienced,” Bolgla said.

Hurricane Helene has consequences for trees

The cleaning work within the CSRA is in full swing.

But if you drive through the Bolgla district, you can still see what the storm left behind.

“We know we’re probably one of the last because they want to clean up the main roads in Augusta, and we understand that,” he said.

Richmond County says they have 95 trucks and have collected more than 560,000 cubic yards of debris.

They say they are focusing on main roads to ensure they are safe for emergency vehicles and school buses.

Some say returning to normal means picking up the rubble.

But Bolgla says he’s grateful for what he has now.

“All utilities are back, safe and sound. It was a learning experience. It was a difficult experience. The first time I had to go to a creek and get water out with a five-gallon bucket so we could flush our toilets,” Bolgla said.

Columbia County says they have as many as 76 trucks on the road every day.

They have enough roads to pick up debris that it feels like you’re driving from here to Dallas, Texas.

They say they are working on heat maps to focus on the hardest-hit areas.

Richmond and Columbia Counties ask that you ensure you only place vegetative waste on the side of the road.

Augusta city officials say it will take months to rebuild the city, but recovery efforts will continue for as long as necessary.