AUGUSTA, Ga. – As the Masters Tournament draws near, Augusta finds itself still recovering from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which struck the city nearly six months ago. While progress has been made, visible scars from the storm remain, particularly in neighborhoods like County Club Hills, which experienced severe damage.

Residents have noticed the lingering effects of the storm, with tarps still covering damaged homes and large debris piles scattered throughout the city. City officials have confirmed that debris pickup will cease ahead of the Masters, leaving many areas only partially cleared.

“We still have some hot spots to address,” said Mayor Pro-Tem Wayne Guilfoyle. “Everything south of Tobacco Road may need a second pass, particularly areas with root balls, but cleanup crews are coming back to finish the job.”

Despite the storm’s devastating impact, the city has made significant strides in debris removal. However, with the Masters on the horizon, Augusta has had to halt its cleanup efforts to prepare for the influx of visitors.

Many residents, while appreciative of the city’s progress, remain frustrated by the incomplete nature of the cleanup. “They did a good job in a lot of areas that were hit hard, but there’s still work to be done,” said local resident Alberta Edney. “It’s not perfect, but I think they’ve done the best they could.”

Rebecca Dent-Jenkins, another local, echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the slow pace of the work. “It’s been a slow process, but considering the extent of the damage, they’ve done all they can,” she said.

Some residents, like Keith Stone, gave the city a “B-plus” for its efforts, noting that while much has been accomplished, there are still visible reminders of the storm’s destruction. “It’s not an A yet,” said Stone. “They’re not done.”

In an optimistic reflection on the city’s recovery, Mayor Pro-Tem Guilfoyle praised the progress made since the storm. “If you compare what it looked like right after the storm to what it looks like now, most people would be amazed at the improvement. It’s hard to believe it’s been done in such a short time,” he said.

Even with the challenges remaining, the city is hopeful that the Masters will go off without a hitch. While some storm damage still lingers, Augusta’s recovery from Hurricane Helene is a testament to the resilience of its residents and the city’s commitment to preparing for the prestigious event.

As the tournament approaches, Augusta residents can only hope that the final touches on cleanup efforts will be completed in time, leaving the city looking its best for the millions of visitors descending upon it.