GCSU assists relief efforts after devastating Hurricane Helene

By Cindy O'Donnell

F rom security and supplies to chainsaws and Chick-fil-A-Georgia College & State University was there to help its sister institutions, Augusta University and East Georgia State College in Swainsboro, after Hurricane Helene tore a destructive path through multiple states two weeks ago today.

This photo from Augusta University's website was taken by Michael Holahan. "So many of our sister campuses in the University System of Georgia were hit hard by Hurricane Helene-and we had expected to be one of the hardest hit based on original forecasts," said GCSU President Cathy Cox.

"I'm glad we were in a position to help and even more grateful that our faculty, staff, students, alumni and community partners have been so generous in helping to provide basic needs to these campuses," Cox said. "A number of our staff traveled to the heavily damaged areas and worked long shifts to help get these campuses back in operation. Our folks are the best!"

Georgia College largely dodged a bullet Sept. 27, but Augusta University suffered "unprecedented" devastation after Category-4 Hurricane Helene slammed into Florida's Big Bend packing 140 mph winds. It raged across Georgia into Tennessee, the Carolinas and as far as Virginia and Kentucky.

Georgia College Facilities crews responded almost immediately. They cleared debris, sawed downed trees and removed fallen power lines and road signs at Augusta University's Summerville campus.

Photo credit: Jeremy Nobles, associate director of Emergency Management at Georgia College. The morning after, Cox delivered Chick-fil-A meals from Milledgeville to Augusta University's Emergency Response Team and other first responders. She was aided in this effort by alumnus and Chick-fil-A corporate board member Evan Karanovich, '12.

Cleanup efforts continued through Oct 10. Two deliveries of non-perishable foods, water, electrolyte drinks, hand sanitizers and other critical items were delivered. Items were donated by Georgia College faculty, staff, students and alumni, as well as Georgia College's dining and food vendor, Sodexo.

Volunteers in Augusta included five staffers from Georgia College Facilities skilled in construction, carpentry, electricity and air conditioning: Ryan Campbell, Brad Thomas, Eric Griffeth, Alec Hansel and Steven Baxley.

Georgia College also sent two maintenance vehicles, a fuel tanker, dumpster trailer and truck, two tractors and five chain/pole saws.

Two GCSU Public Safety officers-Sgt. Paul Bernichon and Cpt. Gary Purvis-took charge of police duties for a week at East Georgia State College, so officers there could tend to their own water-damaged homes.

GCSU police took turns in 12-hour shifts running campus security. Georgia College also provided two patrol cars.

Chief Trey Drawdy commented on Facebook: "Captain Purvis and Sergeant Berrichon were a Godsend for the College and its officers. The EGSC Community is immensely grateful! Thank you Chief Hardin for sending these guys to our aid!"

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