SANDERSVILLE, Ga. (WGXA) — Hurricane Helene was a category 2 hurricane that made land fall in Georgia on September 27, 2024. Sandersville was one of the many Georgia cities hit hard by the storm.

Washington county sheriff Joel Cochran has lived in the area his whole life and says Helene was one of the worst storms they have ever seen.

" it was a tremendous storm. We know it was going to be bad but we didn't know it was going to be as bad as it was. We've had many storms before but due to this one being an unprecedent storm...It was an impact", said Cochran.

He says homes were destroyed and roads were impassable for days.

FEMA data states over 30 people died during Helene including 2 children in Sandersville after a tree fell on their house while they were asleep.

"We had to have people come out and actually start preparing food and helping to get food distributed for many residents that were out of their utilities for days and even weeks.

Washington county was also one of the many areas in Georgia with the most significant wind damage.

Cochran says it took time for the county to receive help from FEMA, but now a year has passed and he says the area is doing much better.

"Because this storm impacted such a large area in Georgia it just took awhile for Washington county to get resources... Recovery has been slow. You can drive through and still see some of the damaged areas but for the most part we have recovered well," said Cochran

Cochran says they have learned from Helene and now have new committees formed like a food distribution system in case another storm were to hit.

"Now that storm came through we got things put in place from the last one that I think should we have another storm like that we'll be better prepared", said Cochran.