I’m writing this series to benefit Golden Harvest Food bank. This organization has boots on the ground in Augusta to help victims recover from Hurricane Helene.
Contribute here today to help these folks get back on their feet.
I’m still processing last night as I make my way into work. But power came back on in Thomson yesterday afternoon. It’s time to dive back into it.
When I last came in after the storm, I stuck to the interstate and main roads. They had wider access with two or more lanes so I would have less chance to fight with blocked roads.
This time, I take my normal route along streets. Power lines and trees are mostly cleared until I get into Thomson proper. I see a smashed house and one lane still completely blocked with downed trees and power lines.
(credit: Derek Rinaldo)
Five-points, as the intersection is called, is down to three. I look for a main road to turn around.
Getting My Bearings
Talking with others at work, I find most of Thomson is back online save for a couple neighborhoods. One coworker lives in a subdivision on the other side of the main road from mine. He got power back last night.
Even the neighborhood next to ours that shares our street has power back. Something punctuated by riding their golf carts past our dark houses.
My jealousy subsides when another coworker from North Augusta tells me he might not get power back until early November.
Our customer rep from the Georgia Power reports there were over 36,000 downed power poles across their service area.
He’s seen storms and tornadoes before. But he confirms how different this storm was. He says the damage looks like a 100-mile wide tornado struck.
Starting the Day
We brief everyone on safety. (we are starting up in the dark, after all) Then I get my contractors started on their work.
I look at my phone. The 2 bars are more than I get at home. It’s enough signal to pull data from some apps without timing out. I try to order lunch for the crew, but the earliest pickup time is well after lunch.
Maybe I can get better results over the phone.
I call the local Chik-fil-A. There’s no reasonable pickup times for catering because they already have 1,500 sandwiches booked for lunch. Those meals are marked for shelters in Augusta.
A store 30 miles away is making meals because they still have power. True to form.
Catching Up
By the time I leave to pick up meals, the electricians have turned on most of the plant. This kicks on the cellular repeaters that were installed last year.
4 bars! I can get so much done now.
Wait…power means Wi-Fi is back. I can do all this faster on my laptop!
In one morning, I went from my teen years of dial up AOL back to modern, high-speed internet.
I catch up with others in my group of friends and share the resource pages our congressman is hosting.
And, you know. Work.
I quickly apply for Individual Aid on FEMA’s website. Maybe it can help us with the fence repair or cover the generator.
Today, Vice President Kamala Harris gives a speech in front of a destroyed home in Augusta. Everyone affected by Hurricane Helene will get $750.
(credit: 11Alive YouTube)
Well, maybe not the fence repair.
Counting Blessings
The startup crew at work begins our lunch with a prayer of thanksgiving. It’s a community staple here in Georgia and reminds me of how much we all have even with what everyone has been through.
As I head home, the local churches in Thomson are still handing out meals. It’s great to see the community come together.
Things have calmed down at home. My stepdad came over a couple times with extra gas for the generator and eased my wife’s concerns about the situation.
I’m grateful to have the prospect of leaving town off the table.
And my neighbor who recognizes the shared danger of leaning trees behind our backyards is collecting signatures from other neighbors on our street. Now I don’t have to start a process on my own.
I ask my wife if she’s heard anything about Asheville. Other family members were asking about how we did with the flooding, but most of the damage in Augusta was from wind.
She finds pictures of the fields at John B. Lewis Soccer Complex that are now part of the nearby creek. Our daughter played in a soccer tournament there only a month ago.
I’m amazed how differently Helene hit communities all along her path. And I realize how fortunate we are.
The kids enjoy the sweet tea I brought home from work and beef tacos from the grill. The governor suspended the state gas tax, too, which will help with the generator costs.
It would be nice to have a working washing machine in the house. But fresh food and neighbors to work with are enough for now.
Interested in helping other victims of Hurricane Helene in Augusta? Many areas are still without power or easy access to food.
I’m sponsoring a fundraiser for Golden Harvest Food Bank. This group offers direct help in my area. Contribute today to get these good people back on their feet.
Did you miss an installment of this story? Catch up at one of the links below:
There’s more adventure to come. See what happens on Day 8.
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