I-TEAM: A look at how officials assess Hurricane Helene damage
- Cleanup: Augusta leaders OK millions to clear Hurricane Helene debris
- Deaths: Helene takes 31st victim in CSRA, a 65-year-old in Aiken County
- Communication: When Comcast expects to restore service across CSRA
- Schools: Helene debris spurs changes in Richmond County bus routes
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - County officials are working to get a clearer picture of the damage left by Hurricane Helene.
Teams began going door-to-door and neighborhood-by-neighborhood this week.
The I-TEAM met up with the team from the tax assessor’s office.
The team finished up in the Vineland community on Wednesday.
They went home to home, business to business looking at hurricane damage, and placing it in a category.
Step by step, photo by photo, home by home.
MORE FROM THE I-TEAM:
- Some say FEMA aid isn’t coming fast enough
- What to look out for when choosing a roofing company
- How to protect your home, wallet from tree damage
“You got a house that is almost destroyed, and you look across the street and it’s fine,” said Al Gresham.
Gresham is crossing off the addresses on his list.
“Today I am going to try to do at least a hundred,” he said.
His total team’s goal for the day? Categorize hurricane damage on 600 homes.
“We have two teams in National Hills, working our way north to south, starting in the more affected areas. I imagine we will be in Montclair and hill area where we have heard there is more debris and damage,” said Scott Rountree.
Rountree is the Richmond County Tax Solicitor.
His teams are identifying damaged homes to reassess.
Renters in CSRA can apply for FEMA aid after Hurricane Helene
FEMA assistance is available to renters, including students, with uninsured losses from Hurricane Helene in several local counties.
“Anything destroyed, we will make sure we have a correct reflection of that damage. Anything major as well and anything minor,” said Rountree.
Property damage lowers property value. The lower the property value the lower the property tax bill next year.
“We are trying to figure out what has happened and how we are individually affected,” said Rountree.
The data they collect will also go to FEMA. It’s part of a bigger picture package to get aid from FEMA in Richmond County.
“It seems everyone in one way or another was affected whether shingles or big issues that have to be addressed,” said Rountree.
There are 60,000 properties in Richmond County, and the tax assessor team needs to inspect all of them.
They do have a little help with the fire department and Red Cross, but they do not have a date when they will complete them.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
