The University of Georgia community has rallied in the wake of Hurricane Helene, coming together to address damage done to campus facilities while also lending a helping hand to friends and neighbors hit hardest by the storm.
“I am so grateful to the entire University of Georgia community for all they have done to help these recovery efforts on our campus and in communities throughout the state,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “Service to our state is a central component of our mission as a land-grant university, and the importance of that commitment is never more evident than during times of crisis. We will continue to help our fellow Georgians in the days and weeks to come.”
While UGA’s main campus and many of its satellite campuses weathered the storm with relatively minor damage, the same could not be said for the Tifton campus, where heavy rains and high winds brought down trees and power lines, leaving the campus and surrounding area without power.
Rainwater Road, which bisects the campus, was rendered impassable with power lines and trees blocking all traffic.
The Alapaha grazing station was hit particularly hard with at least five buildings sustaining significant damage and dozens of trees blocking roadways. Flooding was also extensive in this area.
Despite the damage, the Tifton campus also served as a cornerstone of the broader recovery effort throughout South Georgia. Approximately 2,000 line workers and tree removal crews used the Tifton Campus Conference Center as a base of operations.
The Tifton campus reopened Oct. 2 thanks to facilities crews who worked throughout the campus closure to clear fallen trees, fuel generators, and recover flooded buildings. Many faculty and staff members also came in during the shutdown to maintain greenhouse plants, care for animals and complete time-sensitive research and Extension activities.
Clean up from Hurricane Helene continues on some of UGA’s extended campuses. (Photo courtesy of Adam Fouche)
The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is working with UGA Extension agents, county offices, Research Education Centers, 4-H centers, and various state agencies and partners to assess the storm damage throughout Georgia’s agricultural ecosystem.
The UGA Griffin Campus will hold a drive on Oct. 9 at the Center for Urban Agriculture, Building 4417 at 290 Higgins Road. Requested items include bottled water, cereal/snack bars, non-perishable foods, canned foods with pop tabs, paper plates, napkins, toilet paper, wet wipes and heavy-duty trash bags. For more information, call 770-228-7274.
“Seeing Georgians come together in support of our state’s agriculture industry demonstrates the impact of our shared commitment,” said CAES Dean and Director Nick T. Place. “All across CAES, our faculty and staff have worked tirelessly to conduct damage assessments, help their neighbors in crisis, and provide support to Georgia’s top industry of agriculture. In all of the conversations I’ve been having about the road ahead for our state, one thing has been clear: Georgians are committed to helping those in need, no matter what it takes.”
Lending a helping hand
While the Tifton campus suffered tremendously from Helene, so too did neighboring communities throughout the state. UGA personnel from many different sectors are joining forces to help those in need.
The University of Georgia Athletic Association will offer a chance to donate to Hurricane Helene relief efforts during the Oct. 5 Homecoming game against Auburn. Funds will help the American Red Cross provide meals, shelter and more to those affected by the storm.
Those who would like to donate may visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS, or text HELENE to 90999 any time.
To account for statewide losses, UGA Extension is compiling reports on damage to crops and infrastructure, which can be used to qualify farmers for state or federal aid programs.
UGA Police provided two officers to the Augusta University Police Department to supplement their patrol shifts. These officers each worked 12-hour shifts at AU on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, providing essential support as Augusta continues to recover from the storm’s devastation.
UGA Dining Services also delivered food and water to Augusta University first responders.
UGA’s Office of Emergency Preparedness worked with its counterparts at Augusta University to assess the institution’s many needs and spearhead the coordination of assistance from staff at UGA and other members of the University System of Georgia. OEP also provided more than two dozen head lamps and remote power banks to Augusta University.
In addition, UGA’s Facilities Management Division worked with Augusta University to secure third-party contractors to assist with cleanup.
“The devastation some of our communities have experienced is heartbreaking,” said Adam Fouche, executive director of UGA’s Office of Emergency Preparedness. “I am exceptionally proud of all those at UGA who have answered the call to help. The level of selfless service by our UGA community has been vital to response and recovery efforts across Georgia.”
The College of Family and Consumer Sciences also delivered items to its Extension agents, educators and program assistants in the Griffin area.
The College of Pharmacy plans to deliver supplies to its extended campuses, with a large delivery planned for Augusta. They provided emergency aid, as well as food and lodging, to students in need and adjusted test schedules and learning environments accordingly for those affected.
The Morehead Honors College is holding a bottled water drive for those in Augusta in conjunction with the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia and the Chamber of Commerce. Bring donations to the lobby of Moore Hall or donate directly at the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia (890 Newton Bridge Road) or the Chamber of Commerce (246 W. Hancock Avenue).
The College of Veterinary Medicine is collecting food and supplies for animals in the affected areas. This student-run effort is staging a truck for people to drop things off at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
Army ROTC Cadets have organized a hurricane relief drive to send items to Asheville, North Carolina. The collection effort will run until Oct. 10. All donations can be dropped off in the designated collection area on the first floor of the Military Building and will go to BeLoved Asheville.
These are just a few of the ways the campus community is helping to mitigate the impact of Hurricane Helene. The university will continue to support those affected by the storm in the coming days and weeks.