Augustans Clean Up After Hurricane Helene: A Community Rallies
Augustans have found themselves piecing together their lives after the unexpected fury of Hurricane Helene swept through the area on the early morning of September 27. The hurricane left behind significant damage, with reports of roofs sustaining harsh casualties and up to a foot of water inundating the Central Savannah River Area. However, one piece of good news is that since the storm, it hasn’t rained a drop, which has provided a much-needed respite for homeowners struggling to keep their dwellings dry.
Tarping Up and Facing Reality
Many residents are now relying on bright blue and green tarps to shield their homes from the elements while they grapple with the aftermath. Roofs are dealing with a myriad of issues; from shingles blown off by the wind to gaping holes created by fallen trees. Some homes have even suffered fractured roof beams from the weight and impact of toppled pines and oaks. It’s a tough situation for those affected, as the storm wreaked havoc on numerous homes across the city.
Local Roofing Companies Feeling the Pressure
At R.L. Hayes Roofing and Repairs on Wheeler Road, owner Blake Giesbrecht has stepped up his game, doubling his crew to handle the flood of calls from homeowners scrambling to find help. “Thank goodness it hasn’t rained,” Giesbrecht said. “That’s a blessing. There are lots of open roofs and who knows if the tarps will hold in a storm.”
Each day, the company receives as many as 30 calls from individuals eagerly seeking quotes for roof repairs. Executive assistant Lauren Fugate shared that the inquiries have varied widely, from homes with crushed roofs due to fallen timber to smaller leaks needing swift attention. With such high demand, the earliest appointment available for a quote has been pushed to December 6, six weeks away.
An Unforeseen Surge in Business
When Giesbrecht took over the roofing company a year ago, he didn’t foresee the whirlwind that was about to hit. He initially operated with a modest team of only 2.5 employees, but following Hurricane Helene, everything changed overnight. His phone began ringing early that morning, and soon he had 150 voicemails stacked up, all from homeowners in dire need of assistance. To address the overwhelming demand, he engaged four employees from his other business ventures and quickly expanded his team to six and a half.
Insurance Challenges and Long-Term Repair Needs
As Giesbrecht and his team work diligently, they are also guiding homeowners through the often complicated insurance approval process. The majority of his clients will be financing repairs through homeowner’s insurance, which necessitates navigating an intricate maze of approvals before any work can commence. “We have a dozen jobs waiting to be built at any given time, with hundreds of quotes in customers’ hands,” he mentioned, emphasizing that the rebuilding effort could span well over a year.
Estimates suggest that around 10,000 Augustans may need full roof replacements, while another 20,000 individuals might be looking at repairs. The cost does vary significantly, with a typical replacement costing approximately $7,000 for smaller homes, while most roofs in Augusta could set homeowners back between $10,000 and $12,000. And if any structural wood damage comes into play due to fallen trees, well, that could mean more expenses coming down the road.
Price Increases on the Horizon
Adding to the concern for homeowners, Giesbrecht mentioned that there has been a staggering 70% increase in the price of shingles since the COVID pandemic. He has reassured clients that prices will remain stable until December, but holds concerns about a potential price spike in January. “We could sell a job based on today’s prices, but not get it built in time,” he warned, noting that availability of materials could also pose a significant concern in the coming months.
On-Site Assessments Reveal Extensive Damage
On a recent Thursday, Giesbrecht and estimator Lee Roberts visited homes to evaluate the extent of the damage. Their first stop was a townhouse on Northrup Place, where the Patel family awoke to a startling scene— a towering pine had crashed down onto their roof. “We heard two big sounds and rushed out of the house,” shared homeowner Mike Patel, recalling the frightening experience of the morning of the storm.
As Giesbrecht and Roberts inspected the attic, they discovered significant damage, including a crack along the top beam of the roof and broken rafters. The repairs ahead were not going to be simple. They continued their journey to other homes, offering estimates and analyzing conditions— and at every stop, it became clear that the road to recovery would require extensive time and resources.
A Community Coming Together
Despite the challenges that Hurricane Helene has brought, there is a sense of resilience in the community. Giesbrecht summed it up well, saying, “We want to help as many people as we can.” This sentiment reflects the spirit of Augustans who are not just grappling with repairs—they are lending support to one another and working to rebuild their community piece by piece.
