AUGUSTA, Ga. ()- State and local leaders gathered in Augusta Wednesday talking about climate change.

They’re calling on lawmakers to take action after rising costs and damage from extreme weather across the country.

This is part of the Extreme Weather Emergency Tour.

Leaders have been traveling to parts of Arizona, Michigan, and Pennsylvania—and Augusta is their latest stop to address climate change and the need to take action.

Nearly 11 months since Hurricane Helene, Augustans are still seeing the impact—and they say there’s still work to do. 

“Just this weekend alone, I took my family kayaking on the Canal, and the journey was nearly impossible. Trees and storm debris are still blocking the waterways, nearly a year after the storm,” said Traci George, a community activist.

Community leaders joining State Senator Harold Jones about the costly damage from climate change.

Local organizations like the Savannah Riverkeeper have responded, but they say the resources are limited. 

“We are already stretched thin to the breaking point dealing with every day needs in this area. When a climate-related weather incident occurs, it hits us like a freight train,” Cassandra Loftlin said.

That’s why they’re raising concerns.

The Trump administration is proposing cuts to climate protections and federal agencies like FEMA.

This as wildfires continue in California, and flooding has devastated communities across the country, including Texas, Wisconsin, and nearby Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

They’re calling on lawmakers to protect valuable federal programs.

“NOAA, NASA, FEMA, the National Weather Service—these are not forms of wasteful government spending. These programs protect us, so protect them,” said Paige Brockmeyer, a registered nurse and local military wife.

Georgia Senate Minority Leader Harold Jones says he’s already having conversations with delegates at the state level about this.

He says if something isn’t done, lawmakers may need to reach into their own pockets to prepare for the worst. 

“These events right now are already starting. When I talked about uncertainty with FEMA and federal funding, that needs to be cleared up. At the same time, we at the state level may have to make more investments—especially with the current administration—as far as cleanups are concerned. We now know we may not get full coverage from the federal government,” said Jones.

President Trump has said FEMA could be eliminated as early as this December.

We reached out to Congressman Rick Allen’s office to get his thoughts on the situation, and we’re waiting to hear back.