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Here's a list of essential information that may help Georgia residents in the aftermath of Helene and extensive flooding.

Curfews in effect

Beginning on Saturday, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office announced that there would be a 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew put in place until further notice.

Georgia shelters

According to the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, there are 10 shelters you can go to in the state in order to keep safe after Hurricane Helene.

Find more information about shelter resources here.

Water Sources

Utilize any available water sources, such an rainwater, for non-drinking purposes like flushing toilets or cleaning. If outdoor water is safe to collect, in a barrel or plastic container, the water should be ran through a filter before drinking or cooking.

Emanuel County Board of Commissioners is offering bottled water at these locations:

Cases of water and a potable water truck are expected to arrive at the EMA station Monday evening, according to the city's Facebook page.

Bring your own containers with lids to the following EMA stations from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.:

If you are unable to drive to one of the EMA locations and don't have access to drinking water, email BURKEPIO@burkecounty-ga.gov with your address and the number of people in your household and they will work to coordinate delivery to you, according to a county Facebook post.

Food Distribution Sites

The Georgia emergency management agency said that these are the sites where survivors can be fed after and amidst the devastation of Helene.

The Salvation Army is also providing food across the state and sites are updated regularly at this link.

Groceries

Gasoline

Missing persons reports

The state emergency management website said to check social media network websites for information on loved ones.

"They may also check in with American Red Cross Safe and Well program at https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/contact-and-locate-loved-ones.html to let family members know they are safe or looking for loved ones," it said.

School closures

Augusta University will be closed this week and will reopen for normal business on Oct. 7.

Richmond County School System said Saturday that all schools and offices will be closed through Friday and students will not learn from home at this time. Outside of essential staff, no employees will report to work and all offices will be closed.

Augusta Prep is closed through Monday, Oct. 7. Fallen trees caused damage to the campus signage and fencing in multiple areas, including the baseball field and tennis courts. The cross country trail was also covered with trees.

Augusta Technical College and Episcopal Day Schools will also not reopen until Oct. 7.

Bryan and Effingham County Schools will remain closed Tuesday, per the school districts' Facebook pages.

Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools are also closed Tuesday.

To donate to relief efforts

After Georgians are settled and safe, The Blood Connection urges residents to donate blood or platelets to ensure surgeries and emergency operations can still happen.

Wi-Fi locations

Use free Spectrum Wi-Fi at one of the company's many access points. Find the access point closest to you using this map. Access one of Comcast's Xfinity public WiFi hotspots by looking at the map here.

Text message updates

As a resource in these tough times, we are manning a text message service to bring you and your loved ones the latest updates on Hurricane Helene, connect you with resources and answer any questions you might have. This will give you you direct access to reporters and editors in the newsroom who can help you find information about ongoing weather warnings, local services and more.

To sign up, text 'Hello' to (239) 241-6343. If you have friends in the area, please feel free to share this phone number with them so they can sign up for updates as needed.

Staff reporters from the Asheville Citizen Times contributed to the reporting of this story.

(This story is being regularly updated to reflect the varying amount of resources available to Helene survivors.)

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - We are 11 days from election day, and in Richmond County, there are school board candidates on the ballot.

The community had a chance to meet these candidates at a forum on Thursday night.

We have more on these candidates and what their priorities are if elected.

School board candidates are bringing urgency to the conversation of what needs to be done.

District 4 candidate, Shontae Boyd, says it’s all about pushing for higher education.

Dr. Lester A. McCorn will be leaving Clinton College, a historically Black college in Rock Hill, S.C., to take the reins at Paine College in Augusta.

“I do not feel like we should cut any corners when it comes to giving our kids a good education. Our school district has made great strides within the last few years and with my background, I know I can take us to the next level,” said Boyd.

Candidates like Reginald Forest, District 4 candidate, said he will focus on bringing accountability to students and staff.

“Educational excellence in every school is a big ecosystem. It involves everybody from the custodian staff, bus drivers, students and everyone and in between,” said Forrest.

District 5 candidate Monique Braswell says her priority is standing up for policies that are best for students.

“I’m not afraid to stand up to the big guy when it comes down to these children. Children matter to me,” said Braswell.

Another District 5 candidate, Christopher Mulliens, says positive change starts with mentorship.

On Monday, we told you how the Family YMCA of Greater Augusta is working to get hundreds of pallets of water to North Carolina schools, and now we have an update.

“I see how our young kids need us. They want that representation. They want somebody young who looks like them,” said Mulliens. “And I have been resilient about making sure I stay in the community and making sure we are partnering with organizations to do things for kids that they may not have access to in the school system.”

District 8 candidate Dr. Onnie Poe says it is also about bringing awareness to problems so people don’t fall between the gaps.

“Gaps occur when there is no fluidity in communication. When we are not really hearing what happening from all the voices together, and unless we address this our students, teachers and families will continue to fall through the gaps,” said Poe.

District 10 candidate Samantha Valentine says she will bring transparency to the table.

“It is very important that we are transparent about what is going on with our fiscal money because if we can’t talk about it then parents will be a little anxious and worry about what’s going on,” she said.

It’s four seats on the table that will represent the future of Richmond County schools.

It’s up to you to vote who.

Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

Update, October 4th, 12:50 p.m. – The Augusta Utilities Department announced the boil water advisory issued for the Augusta-Richmond County on Sept. 30 has now been lifted.

According to the city, comprehensive water quality testing confirmed that the tap water “meets all regulatory standards and is safe for human consumption.”

Officials say residents should flush their water lines by opening the cold-water tap and letting the water run for approximately two minutes.

Those with questions can contact 311.

Update, October 1st, 10:23 p.m. – Do you still need to boil your water? The City of Augusta has put a live spreadsheet that updates as staff makes edits.

Refresh the page periodically to see the latest updates. Each street will show a Water Status of ‘Boil’ or ‘No-Boil’.

Click here to take a look at your street.

***

UPDATE: The City of Augusta is issuing a boil water advisory for all of Augusta Richmond-County following systemwide low pressure reports from impacts caused by Hurricane Helene.

Augusta Utilities Director Wes Byne joined Mayor Garnett Johnson and Augusta Fire Chief Antonio Burden to deliver the update Monday evening.

According to the city, this advisory was put in place out of an abundance of caution. The Augusta Utilities Department said “the potential for a health hazard may exist due to microbial contamination in these areas without positive pressure.”

Residents are advised to boil tap water before using it to drink, brush teeth, washing food, cooking, preparing baby formula, making ice and drinking water for pets. Authorities say the water can be used to bathe, wash dishes and do laundry, but people should not the water get in their mouths.

The advisory is in effect until the utilities department has confirmed there is no longer a public health concern.

Pre-packaged bottled water is available at the following locations:

Potable water is available at the following locations where residents can fill containerssuch as coolers, jugs or any suitable water containers.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – The City of Augusta will be hosting a press conference Monday at 6:30 p.m. to provide an “important update on post-storm recovery efforts” following Hurricane Helene for Augusta – Richmond County.

The press conference is being held in front of 452 Walker Street in Augusta.

Monday night’s press conference comes as the city of Augusta announced a water outage was expected to affect all of Augusta-Richmond County on Sunday.

This is a developing story. Count on WJBF NewsChannel 6 for more information as it becomes available.

Spring brings new beginning and opportunities, and, in 2024, Augusta is one community showcasing how Georgia helps industries thrive.

Syensqo Breaks Ground on New Battery Material Facility

In April, Syensqo began construction on a new battery-grade polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) manufacturing facility in Augusta that may well become the largest PVDF production facility in North America.

Born from a demerger of Solvay, Syensqo Chief Technology and Innovation Officer and Chief North America Officer Mike Finelli explained how the decision underscores “the strategic importance of Augusta as a key player in the EV supply chain along the burgeoning Battery Belt.”

Syensqo leaders reinforced that local and state partnerships were deciding factors in choosing Augusta to support the company’s future. Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson thanked Syensqo in return, highlighting their more than two decades in the community as “a premier, quality employer.”

The Augusta Economic Development Authority echoed that sentiment, sharing, “Syensqo fits the community’s goal of creating well-paying, skilled manufacturing jobs and shows once again that Augusta-Richmond County is the right place for manufacturing to not only locate but to grow and expand.”

Learn more here.

StandardAero Launches Expansion of Services

Operating in Augusta since 1974, StandardAero services approximately 425 aircraft and 500 turbine aircraft engines each year from their current facility.

With evolving industry realities, the company realized its facilities needed to adapt, too. This meant that a new hangar and engine shop moved to the top of its “to do” list, with these projects officially kicking off in April 2024.

“The new facility will add over 60% of new space to our existing footprint,” said Chris Bodine, Vice President and General Manager of StandardAero’s Augusta facility. “The current facility was built in the 1970s, when aircraft were a lot smaller. The new facility will allow us to support additional super mid-size to large cabin aircraft for airframe and avionics while also significantly expanding our engine shop to further support many of those aircraft.”

“The expansion will allow us to work on larger Dassault Falcon, Gulfstream, and Bombardier aircraft and also meet the rapidly growing MRO needs of HTF7000 series engine operators,” added Tony Brancato, President of StandardAero Business Aviation.

The new facility will be adjacent to the Augusta Regional Airport, one of eight regional commercial airports in Georgia that play a key role in supporting the state’s soaring aerospace industry.

Totaling $11.1 billion in exports in 2023, aerospace and defense products are the largest Georgia export by dollar value and land Georgia as a top five state for overall aerospace exports in the U.S. The state’s logistics infrastructure includes Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the deepwater ports in Savannah and Brunswick, and thousands of miles of rail and highway systems. These assets help companies move products – no matter the size and weight – to markets across the globe.

Learn more about StandardAero’s expansion here, and meet with Georgia Department of Economic Development investment and trade experts at events such as EUROSATORY 2024 and Farnborough International Airshow 2024.

GF Casting Solutions Announces Its Foundations for U.S. E-mobility Market

GF Casting Solutions AG (GF Casting Solutions) has exciting plans for the U.S. e-mobility market, including a state-of-the-art, LEED-certified high-pressure die casting facility in Augusta.

“Building a High-Pressure Die Casting Facility is a very long-term investment. The new facility will complete our footprint to become truly global in the e-mobility market,” explained Carlos Vasto, President of GF Casting Solutions.

Estimated to begin operations in 2027, it will produce cast aluminum parts, with a special focus on large structural components for the automotive industry. The facility will be built at the Augusta Corporate Park, a Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) site. GRAD-certified sites are just one of the speed-to-market solutions that Georgia offers, and the company will also work with Georgia Quick Start to develop its future workforce.

At the time of the announcement, Vasto shared, “The location is ideal for addressing the thriving automotive industry in the region.”

Over the last few years, Georgia has asserted itself as a core piece of the rapidly developing “Battery Belt” and e-mobility industry in the Southeast. Learn more about the state’s e-mobility ecosystem here.

Case Story in Summary

Augusta is an example of many of the elements that have propelled Georgia’s economic success over the last decade. To name a few examples, Georgia has:

Communities in every corner of the state benefit from the state’s business-friendly environment, and Augusta is just one such community featured on the 2024 International VIP Tour. The tour gave members of Georgia’s Consular Corps a first-hand look into a few of the factors that make Georgia unique. Learn about how five featured manufacturers built their success in east Georgia.

Columbia County recently announced a curfew for Columbia County residents, beginning Saturday night, in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene's devastation in the Augusta area.

Columbia County administrators are implementing a curfew for all Columbia County residents beginning Saturday night at 8 p.m., lasting until 8 a.m. Sunday, according to a news release.

"[The] decision comes as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of our community during ongoing efforts to remove debris, downed trees, and downed powerlines with community partners from the major thoroughfares throughout the county," according to the release.

During the curfew period, all residents are required to remain off the roads unless absolutely necessary, according to the release.

The county did not clarify what makes travel "absolutely necessary."

"This temporary restriction aims to minimize risks associated with hazardous conditions and allows emergency responders to effectively manage and respond to any emergent situations," according to the release. "We understand that curfews can be inconvenient, but the safety of our residents is our top priority. We urge everyone to comply with this curfew to help us protect our community and first responders and ensure a swift response to any emergencies that may arise."

Richmond County instituted a curfew Saturday, active from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. until further notice, The Chronicle reported. Aiken County also has a curfew from 7:30 p.m. 7:30 a.m. Essential workers for local businesses/services and responders are exempt.

Live updates:Helene live updates from Augusta: Here's what's open in Richmond, Columbia and Aiken counties