Local residents have noticed stark differences in how presidential candidates are responding to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene as they vie for public attention. In Augusta, Georgia, Mayor Garnett Johnson is trying to shield his community from his own struggles while addressing their needs. At a recent community event, he expressed hope regarding shelter availability and recovery efforts, despite the city’s challenges. “We got seven confirmed deaths as a result of Hurricane Helene,” he revealed, sharing the personal toll of the disaster. “I personally was… unfortunately, I had to witness one, but we’re getting through it.”
On the night of the hurricane, Mayor Johnson received a desperate call from his cousin, Melissa Carter, who urgently needed assistance. “She called me,” he recalled. “One of the lowest points in all of this was on Friday morning when she said, ‘I need you to come to my house. Daverio is trapped under a tree, and I can’t get it off him.’” Tragically, her husband, Daverio Carter, was killed when a tree fell on their home. Although Johnson rushed to help, he was helpless at the scene. “Of course, you know, there’s nothing I could do,” he said, reflecting on the painful moment.
At Daverio Carter’s funeral on Saturday, Johnson opened up about his own hardships. “I literally don’t have power in my home. No water,” he explained, describing how debris blocked his route to the emergency operations center. He has been working tirelessly with city employees who are putting in long hours to restore normalcy to Augusta. “I think we’re close,” he added.
In the chaos following the hurricane, Johnson found time to speak with Vice President Kamala Harris during her visit to Augusta for an emergency management briefing. “Mayor, I want to thank you for your leadership, in particular,” she said, acknowledging the local impact of the disaster. “The local folks are those who have personally experienced loss and devastation. And yet they leave their home and family to help perfect strangers.”
Harris adopted a low-key approach during her Augusta visit, focusing on compassion rather than drawing attention to herself. She toured some of the areas hardest hit by the storm, where damage was worsened by years of neglect. Residents appreciated her efforts, including 95-year-old Annie Gardner, who remarked, “It shows concern, and shows that she cares.”
Conversely, sentiment towards former President Donald Trump’s visit is less favorable. “He’s not coming here in this neighborhood. He’s out with the rich white folks,” Annie bluntly expressed. “If he does, I’d be really surprised. I don’t think anybody cares if he doesn’t come, either.”
Both candidates are grappling with the challenge of proving they genuinely care while navigating the sensitive terrain of recovery from a crisis. Michael Thurmond, CEO of DeKalb County, stressed the importance of visible leadership during such times: “People are looking to see that their leaders are doing something.”
Trump’s recent Georgia appearances display a more cautious approach than during previous campaigns. While he spoke in Evans, he opted against a standard rally, drawing about 100 supporters instead. He also praised Governor Brian Kemp, linking their political futures as recovery efforts continue.
Evans, while relatively affluent, also experienced significant damage, leaving local conservatives wrestling with recovery. “You’ll see, if you go in there, all the yards along the road are lined with cut-up logs,” explained Gage Gabriel, a young Trump supporter. He noted that public reactions to the hurricane could sway voter sentiment in the upcoming election, especially regarding leadership’s response to the crisis.
Richmond County Commissioner Jordan Johnson highlighted a stark contrast between the two candidates. “If you look at where Kamala Harris went, she went to a very hard-hit part of town. Donald Trump is visiting one of the most affluent parts of the area. I don’t know what impact their visits will have. Kamala Harris came as the vice president of the United States announcing that aid is on the way, while Trump’s visit seems solely for campaign purposes.”
