The Spirit of Community Shines in Augusta After Hurricane Helene
Augusta, GA – The recent onslaught of Hurricane Helene has turned the routine lives of Augusta’s residents upside down. As communities grapple with the aftermath of the storm, stories of resilience, kindness, and unity are emerging, helping to stitch back together a city that has faced a challenging and unexpected crisis.
A striking example of this spirit is Kristina Arnold, a U.S. Army veteran who moved to Augusta from Pennsylvania just two years ago. When Arnold relocated with her children, she was navigating the great unknown—a fresh start in an unfamiliar city. She had her own uncertainties: would she find new friends? Would her kids enjoy their new school? Little did she know that, amid the chaos of Hurricane Helene, she would discover her true calling.
Just days after the hurricane battered the region, Arnold teamed up with other local single moms to become beacons of hope for those affected by the storm. The group organized themselves to deliver supplies, prepared food for people in need, and even made trips to nearby Columbia, S.C., to bring back gas for those stranded due to closed stations. Arnold’s clear message resonated: “I think it’s that nobody was really helping us when we needed it. So now we’re helping everybody else, you know, the way we probably need it. We’re just single moms with kids just trying to help out, that’s all.”
Even while providing such support, Arnold herself felt the tremors of fear. When Hurricane Helene made its fierce approach, she, like many others, took shelter with her children in a dark hallway closet, listening to the terrifying sounds of trees crashing down around them. Yet the very next day, transforming that fear into action, she posted online announcing a stock of food, water, and essential supplies for others in need—a simple social media post quickly blossomed into a movement. As Arnold described, “The people that own this land, they contacted us and told us we could post up here to help.”
But Arnold isn’t alone in her endeavors. Many locals, aware of the impact the hurricane has had, are working tirelessly, cutting down dangerous trees, coordinating logistical efforts in relief, all while managing their own challenges. One such individual is Joyce Porter, an Augusta native for 55 years. Porter has been darting between various churches, striving to assist their needs even as she herself is dealing with the fallout from the storm—having had to sleep at her grandson’s house since it hit. Her resilience beams, as she said, “I say God give me strength… but I feel like it’s going to bring our city together.”
The collective heart of Augusta practically beats in tune with the wisdom of the late Fred Rogers who famously said: “Look for the helpers.” This philosophy is embodied by Shell Berry, the president and CEO of the Community Foundation for the Central Savannah River Area. Berry has been a constant in the effort to raise funds and support local nonprofits committed to buttressing families and communities struggling with the aftermath of the storm. “We are designed to get grant-making support out to critical nonprofits in our local community,” Berry explained. “As you start heading this way up the hill… the houses are split down the middle, and the trees are gone.”
Despite the weight of what’s been lost, Berry emphasizes the unyielding spirit of stewardship amongst the people of Augusta as they rise to the challenge. “Everybody is grieving. Everybody’s struggling to unpack what just happened to us,” she shared. “But we’re just going to step in and help where we can.”
Meanwhile, the pervasive silence in Augusta’s streets, with businesses shuttered and debris scattered, stands in stark contrast to the vibrant energy found at Miles Memorial CME Church. Guided by Rev. Dr. Larry Fryer, the church has transformed into a bustling hub of assistance, with volunteers working enthusiastically to distribute food and resources. Amid uplifting music and camaraderie, Fryer remains committed to the mission at hand, knowing he’ll be there every day as long as people need help.
“There are thousands of people still in Augusta without power,” said Fryer, highlighting the ongoing needs. As the community rallies—feeding and supporting over 2,000 people in the week following the storm—the hope remains that from this adversity, Augusta will emerge stronger than ever.
As the days pass, it is clear that while Hurricane Helene may have disrupted lives and landscapes, it also revealed the timeless resilience and camaraderie that defines Augusta. No storm can dampen the human spirit, especially when so many are willing to step up and lend a hand to their neighbors in need.
