Georgians are getting a closer look at Hurricane Helene’s destructive path through the state.
A detailed damage assessment verifies a total impact of $1.28 billion on Georgia’s total timber resource. The report, produced by the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) and the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, documents species, product class, percent damage, and location. Hurricane Helene had recorded winds up to 100 miles per hour from Valdosta to Augusta, traversing 8.9 million acres of forestland before exiting the northeast corner of the state.
“Hurricane Helene was a historic storm that created generational losses for Georgia’s landowners,” said Georgia Forestry Commission Director Johnny Sabo. “Right now, GFC is working closely with affected landowners and our state and federal partners. We want to match all available resources to those needing help.”
The Hurricane Helene Timber Impact Assessment summarizes the storm’s September 27-28 trek through Georgia. Unprecedented high winds and rain totals ranging from 4 to 12 inches impacted a large portion of forested, agricultural, and urban landscapes. Private forested land accounted for 88% of the impacted land ownership. Foresters from GFC conducted 2,800 field observations on special mobile software to calculate the range of damages. Timber product classes of pulpwood, pallet wood, and mixed sawtimber were valued at $28/per ton for pine and $18/per ton for hardwood.
“Georgia’s forestry sector is a cornerstone of our state’s economy, and its resilience is vital to our future,” said Dr. J. Todd Petty, Dean of the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia. “This assessment provides essential insights that will guide both immediate recovery and long-term strategies for sustainable management, and Warnell is prepared to support the Georgia Forestry Commission and Georgia’s landowners in every step of this process.”
