Hurricane Helene and Impacts on Georgia Libraries

Authors

Wilhelmina Randtke, Georgia Southern UniversityFollow
Melissa Johnson, Augusta UniversityFollow
Kathy Davies, Augusta UniversityFollow
Erin Prentiss, Augusta-Richmond County Public Library SystemFollow
Brad WarrenFollow
Emily Rogers, Valdosta State UniversityFollow
Emily Harris, Augusta UniversityFollow
Will Petty, Augusta UniversityFollow

Publication Date

8-1-2025

Abstract

In late September 2024, Hurricane Helene moved from Florida up the east coast of the United States. The hurricane struck land in the Florida panhandle, and moved north up through North Carolina. It passed over much of Georgia. The hurricane made landfall at around 11pm in Perry, Florida on Thursday, September 26. That night, it moved up through Georgia, and through to North Carolina. Governor Brian Kemp issued a state of emergency for Georgia, and later a state of emergency for 41 counties in Georgia. This article shares the experiences of librarians in Georgia in responding to and living through the storm, and how libraries were impacted.