Augusta's Helene rebuild and how to vet the roofer

Helene in Richmond County

NOAA's Storm Events Database describes September 27, 2024 in Richmond County as a day of significant, widespread tree and power line damage, with extended power outages and substantial structural damage from falling trees and wind. At least 1,386 homes sustained some level of damage. The database lists six direct deaths in the county and a $500 million damage estimate, the largest for any Richmond County event in the database since 2000.

FEMA's emergency declaration EM-3616 and major disaster declaration DR-4830 for Helene both include Richmond County. The National Hurricane Center's report notes that Helene was moving extremely quickly at its Florida landfall, at 27 knots toward the north-northeast.

The storms before Helene

• Tropical Storm Michael's winds downed 45 or more trees across the county on October 10, 2018, including trees on houses on Ravenel Road and Warren Street in Augusta. FEMA's emergency declaration EM-3406 for Michael includes Richmond County.
• Idalia brought scattered downed trees on August 30, 2023.
• A supercell tornado rated EF3 crossed from Columbia County into the Augusta area on April 10, 2009, severely damaging many homes and businesses; 150 people had to be evacuated from a damaged nursing home.
• The National Weather Service in Columbia, South Carolina, traced damage in an industrial area north of Bush Field to straight-line winds estimated at 87 knots on March 20, 2018.

Hail is less frequent here than in north Georgia: the database records 11 hail events of 1 inch or larger in Richmond County from 2016 through 2025 (NCEI). The biggest, on May 6, 2022, dropped hail of 1 to 2 inches from Wheeler and Jackson roads to near University Hospital and Wrightsboro Road.

Vetting reviews during a rebuild

A roofer with nothing but glowing reviews may simply be good, or may be steering who reviews it. The FTC's questions-and-answers page on its 2024 review rule says the rule has no specific ban on asking only happy customers for reviews, but that the practice could violate the FTC Act. Google's contribution policy is blunter: businesses may not discourage negative reviews or selectively solicit positive ones.

The same federal rule bars using groundless legal threats, physical threats or intimidation to get negative reviews removed, while still allowing a business to answer reviews publicly and contact customers to fix problems. A company that responds to its critical reviews with specifics tells you more than one with none.

Vetting the license

Roof-only work in Georgia falls under the licensing board's specialty contractor list, which includes shingles and shakes, flat roofing and sheet metal roofing. Much of Helene's Augusta damage came from falling trees, though, and repairs after a tree strike can grow well past the roof covering. A specialty contractor may take on other work only when it is incidental and no more than the greater of $10,000 or 25 percent of the job, under O.C.G.A. § 43-41-17.

For bigger jobs, a licensed residential contractor brings documented coverage: the board's FAQ sets general liability minimums of $300,000 per occurrence for a Residential Basic license and $500,000 for Residential Light Commercial, and requires continuing education each year. Look up the license in the professional licensee search.

The National Roofing Directory lists roofers in Augusta and explains roof decking replacement costs in Augusta for jobs where a falling tree broke through. For the full review rule, see our home page.

Roofers in Augusta

Here are roofing companies listed on the National Roofing Directory in Augusta.

Frequently asked questions

How many homes did Helene damage in Augusta?

The Storm Events Database says at least 1,386 homes in Richmond County sustained some level of damage from Helene, and it records six direct deaths in the county.

Is a roofer with only perfect reviews a red flag?

Not on its own, but ask how the company collects reviews. The FTC says asking only satisfied customers could violate the FTC Act, and Google's policy forbids businesses to selectively solicit positive reviews.

What insurance must a Georgia residential contractor carry?

According to the licensing board's FAQ, general liability of at least $300,000 per occurrence for Residential Basic and $500,000 for Residential Light Commercial, with workers' compensation required only for businesses with three or more employees.