Hurricane Helene – A Storm We’ll Never Forget, A Season of Gratitude and Growth

In the fall of 2024, Hurricane Helene swept through our region, bringing with it uncertainty, high winds, and damage to communities across the Southeast. But in the months since, we’ve had time to reflect — and more than anything, we feel incredibly blessed.

Though Helene left her mark on Ohoopee River Campground, the damage here was far less than what many others in the area experienced. Our hearts go out to the families and businesses who were hit much harder than we were. We're truly thankful for the safety of our guests, the preservation of our grounds, and the resilience that followed.

The River Stage: A Bittersweet Loss

The most visible loss from the storm was our beloved river stage. Over the years, that little stage hosted concerts, karaoke nights, movie nights, and countless other good memories under the stars. Seeing it damaged was a tough moment for all of us — it was more than just a structure; it was part of the heart of our campground.

Thankfully, we had added our new event pavilion the spring before the storm, and what a blessing that decision turned out to be. The pavilion has now become the home of our events, and its covered space, sound system, and lights have made it the perfect spot for karaoke, gatherings, and more. It’s a testament to how things can work out better than we ever planned.

One last look…

Mr. Billy stands where memories were made and music played.

Cleanup, Recovery, and Moving Forward

In the weeks and months that followed the storm, Mr. Billy — owner and campground hero — spent countless hours clearing debris, repairing damage, and restoring the campground to its former glory. Trees along the river’s edge took the brunt of the storm’s fury, and we lost quite a few near the water. But within the campsites themselves, we were fortunate to lose very few trees. The shade our guests love is still here, and the peaceful vibe of the campground hasn’t gone anywhere.

We also lost some light poles and fencing and unfortunately, one pop-up camper on site was a total loss. However, no other RVs suffered significant damage — and thankfully, no tents were set up at the time, sparing even more potential loss. Most importantly, there were no injuries, and for that, we thank God.

Today, we’re mostly recovered, and instead of just rebuilding what was lost, we’re now focusing on adding even more. We’re turning our attention toward improvements and new recreational amenities that will give our guests even more to enjoy during their time here. It’s a fresh chapter, and we’re excited about what’s ahead.

Cleanup & comeback - one day at a time.

Mr. Billy working to clean up after the storm.

Serving the Community in a Time of Need

After the storm passed and even though we were without power for a full week, we did what we could to support the community. Thanks to our generator-powered well and gas water heaters, we opened our bathhouses for anyone who needed a hot shower. For some in the area, power didn’t return for nearly a month, and we were grateful to offer even a small bit of comfort during that difficult time.

What we saw during those days was the best of what community can be — neighbors, churches and businesses showing up in ways that remind us all what really matters.

A reminder of God’s protection through the storm.

Photo from a community neighbor’s yard after the storm.

Looking Ahead With Gratitude

We’ll never forget the impact of Hurricane Helene, but we’ll also never forget the strength, kindness, and grace that followed. We are so thankful to have weathered the storm with our guests safe and our campground intact.

As we move into the next season here at Ohoopee River Campground, we’re excited for more family-friendly fun & memories, and continuing to be the peaceful riverside retreat our guests love. Whether you’ve camped with us before or are planning your first visit, we invite you to come see how far we’ve come — and what’s next.

Until then, we’ll be here, under the shade of the trees, by the calm, dark waters of the Ohoopee, counting our blessings.

The beautiful and resilient Ohoopee River.