CORDELE, Ga. (WALB) - A South Georgia performing arts center is still suffering from the impact of Hurricane Helene.

The storm damaged the roof of Empire Performing Arts Studio (EPA) in Cordele last year. The roof is still leaking, and the company’s insurance denied the $11,000 claim. Now, the owners are unsure if they can keep entertaining the community.

“It’s heartbreaking. It’s about more than the roof. It’s about bringing arts and culture to the town that doesn’t have a lot of that. This place is something special,” said Jamie Lyons, a parent whose daughter attends Empire Performing Arts.

Empire Performing Arts said their building received wind damage from Hurricane Helene that caused their roof to leak and destroyed some of their building. They said repairs were not completed and the bills were not covered by insurance.

“They sent an adjuster, and when we got the adjuster report back, they let us know it was not going to be covered, and hurricanes happen. So regardless of any kind of wind damage or the hurricane actually being the cause of anything, they weren’t able to cover it,” co-owner of Empire Preforming Arts, Lauren French-Barnette, explained.

The insurance company’s post-storm inspection report listed why the arts center would go without coverage.

“The inspection also revealed that there was age related wear, tear, deterioration to the roof... Wear, tear, and deterioration is excluded by the policy and there would be no coverage for the interior water damages.”

“Hartford came in knowing that we’re in an older building, so they had everything inspected. It wasn’t a surprise that we were not in a brand-new building that’s been built. They had all that information beforehand,” said EPA co-owner, Alex Christianson.

The studio’s ceiling still leaks water and drips in the studio. Owners said they worry that this will affect performers and patrons. The performing arts center has obtained an attorney.

French-Barnette said there is no formal lawsuit yet, but the arts center has discussed the possibility.

“I just want to see to see a big business do the right thing by a small business,” Lyons added. “Mostly, I just want to see these wonderful women providing a space for the kids to bring the community and families together without insurance making it harder to do.”

The studio owners said they hope the insurance company reconsiders its claim so that the studio can keep serving the people of South Georgia.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Copyright 2025 WALB. All rights reserved.