VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) - Former President Donald Trump says he brought truckloads of supplies to the Valdosta area during a tour of storm damage this afternoon.

Most of the residents WALB spoke to say they feel that former President Donald Trump’s visit will help bring more awareness to the devastation down here. At this point, people here are pleading for any kind of help from state and local leaders.

Hurricane Helene is far from out of sight out of mind. Many neighbors are still replaying the moments of the historic storm.

“This was probably the first time in my life, I’m 51, for at least a minute or two I feared for my life,” said Bennie Calloway, a Valdosta resident.

Many neighbors fear it will take several months to get back to some type of normalcy.

“We’re trying to make the best of it but it’s been a mess. Some people are really suffering.”

For students, this school year has now been completely altered. An extended power outage and storm damage has delayed some schools until October. Less than 40 Valdosta State University students who live on campus have no choice but to be transferred to an off-campus facility while other students have chosen to go back home.

“I’ve lived here my whole life and this is the first hurricane that’s really hit where I was actually scared,” said Rena Barclay, a Valdosta resident.

Former President Donald Trump says right now he’s putting politics to the side as he focuses on disaster relief.

“We’re here today to stand in complete solidarity with the people of Georgia and with all of those suffering in the terrible aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Hurricane Helene turned out to be a big one, just about the biggest one anyone’s ever seen,” said Morgan Barfield, a VSU student.

As people look to state and local resources, trump says it will take Americans coming together to help recovery efforts progress.

“Working together, we’ll overcome these hardships we’ll endure,” Trump said. “We’ll rebuild Valdosta and every other town that’s been badly hit.”

President Joe Biden is set to visit areas hit by Hurricane Helene soon. Vice President Kamala Harris also has announced she will cancel her campaign stops on Monday and visit FEMA headquarters in Washington D.C. for a briefing as she prepares to also visit heavily impacted areas.

Lenah Allen was there and will have more details on Trump’s visit on WALB News 10 at 5 and 6.

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