North Augusta Recovers from Hurricane Helene: A Visit from the Consul General of Israel
North Augusta, S.C. is on the road to recovery after the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene, which left many residents grappling with significant challenges. On a recent visit, Consul General of Israel Anat Sultan-Dadon toured the area to understand the situation and offer support to the local community.
A Little Help Goes a Long Way
During her visit, Sultan-Dadon expressed her concern and solidarity with the affected residents. “These past days, seeing the hardship here in the Southeast by those affected by Hurricane Helene, this is our small opportunity to tell all of our friends here on the ground that we stand with you,” she stated warmly. This visit was part of her meetings with various leaders from South Carolina and Georgia, focusing on recovery efforts across the impacted areas.
Representative Brent Cox, who represents District 28, praised Sultan-Dadon and her team’s commitment amid the ongoing geopolitical tensions that Israel faces. He noted, “Somehow this Consul General and her team have found a way to support and help,” which highlights the importance of solidarity during difficult times.
Seeing the Damage Firsthand
Sultan-Dadon and the local leaders toured some of the hardest-hit neighborhoods, including West Avenue, Woodlawn, and Hammond Hill, to get a firsthand look at the damage. The impact of the hurricane left over 14,000 homes without power, a challenging situation for many families. North Augusta’s mayor, Briton Williams, provided updates on the ongoing recovery efforts, saying, “I think there are like 45 outage outages, which means some type of event, whether it’s a broken pole, whether it’s wire that’s causing the issue with the last 141 houses.”
The spirit of resilience was evident as the mayor added, “So they are working on it and, you know, keep my fingers crossed and pray, but I don’t think it’ll be much longer before we’ll have all power.” With great determination, officials and volunteers have been working tirelessly to restore electricity and other essential services to the community.
National Guard’s Essential Support
The role of the National Guard has also been crucial in the recovery efforts. Their swift action post-Hurricane Helene has led to the distribution of around 70,000 meals and 90,000 bottles of water to residents in need. Locals have been incredibly grateful for the assistance, but many still face challenges as some rural areas remain without power and water sources. Trey Burdette, a resident affected by the storm, shared his experience: “A lot of people I know still don’t have power and still don’t have any water because they’re so rural, their own wells.” He even took it upon himself to donate water to friends, showcasing the community spirit that has flourished during this tough time.
Much-Needed Supplies for Families
During her visit, Sultan-Dadon also participated in distributing vital supplies, including diapers and wipes for families with young children. Mayor Williams emphasized how the need for these items often goes unnoticed, stating, “You think about a lot of things, but you don’t think about diapers, you don’t think about wipes. And the reality is this is part of the supplies, quite frankly.” He expressed his gratitude, saying, “I’m just blessed that they took the time and effort to bring us these supplies.”
Continuing Support
The distribution of supplies wrapped up on the day of Sultan-Dadon’s visit, with any leftover water and meals allocated for Aiken County and other areas in need. As North Augusta continues its recovery, the support from various organizations and individuals remains crucial, and the community stands stronger together.
