Augusta will take years to return to anything approaching normalcy. But this week is a sign that the community can celebrate the event that made the town famous.
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AUGUSTA,Ga.—ThemomentCindyKuhlkeknewsomethingwasverywrongwasthemomentthesoundofthebabymonitorsinherbedroomwinkedout.
CindyandherdaughterChesleyhadtuckedChesley’stwodaughters—ages2yearsand5weeks—intheircribsat7onthenightofThursday,Sept.26,2024,thewaytheyhaddoneeverynight.TherewasastormpulsingoutsideChesley’shomenearWaltonWayExtensioninAugusta,notfarfromAugustaNationalGolfClub,butthatwasn’tunusual;stormsrollthroughAugustadozensoftimesayear.
Only…therewassomethingdifferentaboutthisparticularstorm,theleadingedgeofahurricanefartothesouth.TheouterbandsofHurricaneHelenehadalreadydumpedasmuchas10inchesofrainonAugustainthepreviousday,asmuchasthecityreceivesinmonths.Thewindhadcontinuedtoincreasethroughoutthenight.Around3inthemorning,anunearthlynoisesurroundedtheirhome,andthat’swhenthepowerwentout.
“Itrulycan’texplainthesoundsthatIhea
