My daughter's area in Augusta, Georgia took a direct hit from Helene yesterday. They have no power or water--so they're heading west, looking for a hotel to stay for a couple of days.

Question for Cougar Nation: How far west do they have to go to get out of the damage? Are conditions better west of Atlanta or do they need to drive to eastern Alabama (they're thinking about Montgomery.) What have you heard from friends and family in Georgia or Alabama?

All of the national reporting is focused on Florida, North Carolina and Tennessee and I can't find useful info about the areas west of Atlanta.

Internet coverage is spotty in Georgia, so my daughter's standing in a Walmart lobby waiting for my scouting report.