A local Waffle House was only taking to-go orders and had a limited menu of sandwiches only due to the lack of deliveries. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta VoiceAUGUSTA – United States Vice President Kamala Harris visited Augusta on Wednesday, Oct. 2. This particular visit wasn’t for a campaign event or for a rally like the one her campaign put on in Cobb County last month. This trip, which included a visit to North Carolina, was to get an on-the-ground look at the damage that Hurricane Helene has done to Georgia. Depending on where you are in the state, the level of damage and death can vary. A reported 25 deaths have been reported in Georgia and nearly 60 deaths have been reported throughout North Carolina. Harris visited Augusta which was also hit hard during the tropical storm. At the Parker’s Kitchen on Tobacco Rd., a half-mile from the Augusta Airport, customers had to pay with cash only and could only enter the store four-five at a time due to a lack of associates available to work. Customers were allowed just one case of water per visit.The Waffle House on Mike Padgett Hwy. offered customers a limited menu of only sandwiches on wheat bread due to the lack of daily deliveries. “People are scared right now,” said Annie, a waitress at that Waffle House location. “Things have gotten better, but it was pretty scary.”United States Senator Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) joined the Vice President on the trip. Ossoff visited Valdosta on Saturday. Valdosta is another Georgia city that saw devastation and the loss of homes and businesses due to Helene. Harris was greeted by Ossoff and Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson upon her arrival. The first stop on the tour of the city was to the Utilities Administration Building in downtown Augusta. A nondescript brick building that looks like it belongs on a college campus, it is home to the city utility services and is now a command center for Helene relief.Harris took a moment to thank the local administration, law enforcement, which included the fire department and the Richmond County Marshal. There was National Guard leadership at the table as well. “I am here in Augusta to thank everyone who has done extraordinary work,” Harris said prior to the briefing. “These are very difficult times.” Harris made a point to shake hands and personally greet everyone at the table before the closed-door meeting began. The second stop on her visit was to the Tara Heights neighborhood where trees could be seen resting on top of homes and power lines were in the streets. Harris greeted a family of five, hugging and comforting the mother in the process. She spent several moments with the family before making her way over to address the media. Harris announced that United States President Joe Biden approved Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s request for 100% approval of all local costs connected to the storm.“It will have a huge impact on our ability to get relief to people,” Harris said. That 100% approval of local costs will help with debris removal and emergency services that are provided by the city and state.“We are here for the long haul,” Harris said. “There’s a lot of work that’s going to happen in the matter of days, weeks, and months.” Moments later Harris, Ossoff, Mayor Johnson, and others were passing out prepared meals, bottles of water, and fruit cups to local volunteers and members of the community at the Henry H. Brigham Senior Center. In between taking selfies with people and exchanging small talk with the volunteers that were helping pass out the meals, Harris smiled. She was among well-wishers and registered voters. She was also speaking to children that were there with their families. A family of four was walking away after having met Harris and gotten their meals. The mother, looking down at one of her children, could be heard saying, “You guys got a chance to meet the future president.” Harris left Augusta for North Carolina having gotten to see what Helene did to Augusta, but more importantly having had an opportunity to see the people Hurricane Helene affected. There are 154, 063 registered voters in Richmond County where Augusta is the largest city. Early voting begins in Georgia on Oct. 15.The post ‘We are here for the long haul’: VP   Harris visits Augusta in the wake of Hurricane Helene appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.