For over 25 years, Julie Calhoun has dedicated her career to helping people navigate the world of insurance. As an Agent with Georgia Farm Bureau, she’s seen firsthand how important it is to have the right coverage when disaster strikes. But after Hurricane Helene swept through Augusta, she witnessed something even more powerful—the strength of a community coming together in a time of need.
“I’ve been in insurance for a long time, but I’ve never seen anything like Helene,” she recalls. “The biggest claim event I had seen before was the 2014 ice storm, and we thought that was bad—but this was on a whole other level. The worst part for us as Agents, was the fact that we were also without power, phones, and internet. Our members had a hard time getting enough cell service to even call and file a claim. We were part of the claims village that was set up in Augusta, and that helped many people.”
Despite the devastation, what stood out most to Julie wasn’t just the damage, but the way neighbors stepped up to help one another. “People were cutting and clearing trees, cooking for each other, and sharing generators and supplies. It brought back a sense of community that had been overlooked for so long.”
Julie and her colleagues at Georgia Farm Bureau played their own role in the recovery efforts. “One of our Agents in a neighboring county, whose area wasn’t affected, organized a group from their church to come down and provide meals. Between their efforts and donations from Farm Bureau offices and employees, we were able to feed around 750 people in the Augusta and Thomson area.”
Beyond immediate relief, the storm was a wake-up call for many homeowners about the importance of being prepared. “We had around 800 claims filed overnight,” she explains. “Our local team was overwhelmed, but Farm Bureau brought in Adjusters from neighboring states who stayed for over a month to help us take care of our members.”
Many people learned that their insurance policies didn’t cover as much as they assumed. “A standard homeowners policy doesn’t cover everything. Flood damage, earthquake protection, food loss, and appliance breakdowns often require additional endorsements,” Julie says. “Annual insurance reviews are crucial because things change, and you need to know what’s covered before disaster strikes.”
One family’s story particularly stuck with Julie. “A couple with three small children and the wife’s mother had over fifty trees fall on their house. The fire department had to rescue them. Because they were in contact with me, I was able to get them into an Airbnb the next day. I cooked for them, brought supplies—just helped in any way I could. That’s the kind of personal service you get when you work with a local Agent.”
For Julie, that personal connection is what sets Georgia Farm Bureau apart. “With some companies, you’re stuck calling an 800 number and talking to a different person every time. But when you have a local Agent, you have someone who knows you, someone who can be at your house within minutes.”
Georgia Farm Bureau isn’t just about insurance—it’s about supporting the community. “We’re a member-based company, which means every customer has a membership that helps fund local programs like 4-H and FFA, as well as food assistance programs for the elderly,” she explains. “Some people keep their Farm Bureau membership even if they don’t have insurance with us, just for the benefits it provides to our state and community.”
Looking ahead, Julie hopes the community stays prepared for the future. “None of us were fully prepared, but there are things I’ll never go without again—a chainsaw, extra water, power banks, and charcoal for the grill. One tip I always share now is using outdoor solar lights inside. When we lost power for two weeks, bringing them inside at night made a huge difference.”
Through it all, Julie is proud to serve the people of Augusta. “At Georgia Farm Bureau, we’re more than just an insurance company. We’re a part of this community. We volunteer, we support, and we do everything we can to be there for our members when they need us most.”
Augusta Office: 3640 Wheeler Rd / 762.222.8010
Hephzibah Office: 2550 Hwy 88 / 706.592.6442
jkcalhoun@gfbinsurance.com