Why one Central Georgia family is struggling to pay the bills after Hurricane Helene

ROCKLEDGE, Georgia — For some families, Helene‘s put a strain on their finances – and the Durden family in Laurens County’s unincorporated area of Rockledge says they’ve had to move homes because of it. 

Renee Durden has moved her family to a friend’s house in Wrightsville, because their home hasn’t had power since the night of Helene.

“My son proceeded to hold the door because the wind and the rain was pushing our front door open. And I told the kids I said, ‘Y’all get in the bathtub,’ and I just got to praying,” Durden said. 

She said her prayers must’ve been heard. Her three kids and her grandkid’s life was spared that night – but their meter pole was damaged. 

“The light pole that the meter sits in, the pole that’s in your yard – the homeowner’s [responsible] for that,” Durden said. 

She hasn’t been able to pay its repair, because she’s disabled and on a fixed income. She said several electricians gave her price quotes way out of her range. 

“They saying just the light pole and the pole, it’s roughly 800-900 dollars,” Durden said. “Where are you gonna get that from?”

After speaking with Durden, we spoke on the phone with her utility company, Altamaha EMC. Office Manager Tammye Vaughn at Altamaha EMC said the numbers she was quoted are way too high for a pole repair.

“If she’s using a local, licensed electrician, it would be nowhere near what you’re talking about,” Vaughn said. 

After we spoke with Vaughn, she let us know she’ll connect Durden with local and trusted electricians who should charge her much less. 

Vaughn said Altamaha EMC provides the meter base and the meter at no charge to folks. However, the meter pole is always the responsibility of the member. Vaughn warned that they’ve heard of many companies trying to price gouge since the hurricane, so they recommend using local and licensed contractors.