Local roofing companies continue working around the clock, as rainfall comes for first time since Helene
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – The CSRA will see significant rainfall for the first time since Helene hit our area over a month ago.
Even after the driest October on record, the rain is a concern with all of the roof damage from the storm.
Driving around Augusta, you'll see many homes and apartments covered in tarps, as Helene left major damage to roofs on both sides of the river.
We spoke to roofing companies about how business has been over the last month, and they say the work has been nonstop.
"Right now we've been inundated," said Scott Gunter. "We're getting 200 plus phone calls a day just on the office line—not including our personal phone calls. I was getting calls the morning of the storm, wanting people to put me on the list."
More than a month with no significant rainfall has given time for neighbors to cover damaged homes with tarps.
Gunter and RCS Roofing have been working since the storm hit to help customers get what they need.
"We try to give them upgrades to architectural shingles instead of regular 3-tab shingles like most homes have. In terms of tarping, we try to do some tarping to help prevent any further damage as far as getting wet," said Gunter.
It's the same story across the river in North Augusta for Brighter Side Roofing and Owner Samuel Leverette.
"Prior to the storm, we were doing about 15 to 20 estimates per day. Ever since the storm, it's been up to over a 2100 percent markup. We went from doing 15 to 20, to now doing 250 to 300 per day," Leverette said.
His roofing company only has a few boxes of tarps left because of how many tarps his team have given to customers.
"These are our 40×60 tarps. We have these shipped on the bed of an 18 wheeler, with 100 plus tarps delivered here to the shop. I think now we're down to about 12 of the 40×60 tarps," said Leverette. "It just goes to show you how much help people need around the CSRA."
With heavy rainfall expected over the next two days, both Leverette and Gunter are urging homeowners with damaged homes to cover any holes in the roof, and secure any tarps covering the house.
"Make sure your tarp is good. Once again, the tarp will only hold so much water, so make sure it's secure, and make sure you're ready for any kind of influx of water coming in," said Gunter.
"If you go outside and look up and you see missing shingles, that is a vulnerable area for water to have an entry point into your house. Just deal with a professional that can properly tarp it, and it'll at least buy you some time until the repairs are made to keep the water out with a nice, professional tarp job," said Leverette.
Our VIPIR-6 Alert Team is expecting 1 to 5 inches in most areas, but there could be up to 10 inches in some spots South of I-20.
They advise you not only to secure tarps on your house if you have them, but not to drive through flooded roads that we could see over the next two days.
To find the latest weather updates, you can visit our website or the Live VIPIR-6 Alert App.
