Augusta, GA
Augusta National sees changes after damage caused by Hurricane Helene
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WTOC) – Hurricane Helene had major effects around the city of Augusta last September, and despite the perceived magic that Augusta National has to offer to the public eye, the grounds weren’t immune to the damage done around the city.
While the club never shared information publicly, reports from those close to the situation are that the course suffered severe tree loss. The grounds look pristine as ever, but those who know Augusta National can tell a difference. There are certain spots of brush you can see through that you weren’t able to before, as well as some overhanging trees and limbs that are no longer there.
As a course that’s built on forcing golfers to play specific types of shots, the loss of trees that have been in play for decades could change certain holes. Despite the noticeable effects from Helene, it’s still a challenge for the best in the world.
“From a tee-shot perspective, there are maybe a couple that are a little less visually intimidating,” said Rory McIlroy, who is searching to complete the career grand slam this week. “Thinking of a tee shot like 10, a little bit of that tree loss on that left side, your target is that TV tower down there at the bottom of the hill. You used to not be able to see that, and now you can see that pretty clearly. Visually, it doesn’t look like you have to turn the ball as much as you used to.”
“I think with the trees, you just get a different view,” said Collin Morikawa, who sits fourth in the Official World Golf Rankings. “The way this course is set up, it usually forces you to hit a shot. Most likely a tiny draw, a tiny fade. You can’t really work it as hard sometimes. But, you lose a few trees and it kind of plays a little bit differently.”
The first tee time of the 89th Masters is Thursday morning at 7:40.
Copyright 2025 WTOC. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Richmond County officials found a dead body at Walton Way near the railroad tracks on Sunday.
Authorities say an unhoused individual was found dead on 13th Street at Walton Way near the railroad tracks at 4:40 p.m.
The person is a male, according to the Richmond County Coroner’s Office.
Richmond County Sheriff’s Office deputies and the coroner’s office went to the scene Sunday and were still there as of 5 p.m.
There doesn’t appear to be any foul play right now, according to the sheriff’s office.
The identity of the person will be released once his family is notified.
With temperatures expected to drop to 19 degrees or below again Sunday evening, deputies are actively checking areas where unhoused individuals are known to frequent and are offering transportation to local warming centers.
While they can’t force people to find shelter, the sheriff’s office is still deplying Homeless Outreach Team and working with community partners to strongly encourage them to accept shelter during these dangerous conditons
Business owners and community members who see individuals in need are encouraged to contact dispatch at 706-821-1080 so they can assist.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Video: Snow and ice create dangerous conditions in Augusta
After yesterday’s storm, snow and ice remain on major roads in Augusta. Authorities have asked motorists to stay off the roads.
Augusta-area residents who woke up to a blanket of snow Sunday are being asked to stay off the dangerously icy roads while temperatures are expected to rise slowly above freezing.
Mayor Garnett Johnson declared a curfew Saturday night until noon Sunday, calling for nonessential businesses to close, including bars and nightspots.
Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Chief Lewis Blanchard said Saturday evening that several roads will be closed.
“Current issues include multiple vehicles in ditches on Deans Bridge Road at Church Street due to driving conditions,” he said in a statement. “Highway 1 and Highway 25 at the county line both have slush and ice present, and traffic issues are already developing and expected to increase as temperatures continue to fall.”
- Augusta’s Emergency Management Agency has issued a list of closed roads:
- John C. Calhoun Expressway
- Barton Chapel Road at Old McDuffie Road
- Gordon Highway at Haynes Station Drive
- Richmond Hill between Lumpkin Road and Windsor Spring Road
- Wrightsboro Road at Heard Avenue
Here’s the forecast from the National Weather Service for the Augusta area:
- Sunday: Sunny with a high near 37. Northwest wind 8 to 10 mph. Sunday night, mostly clear with a low around 17. West wind 3 to 6 mph.
- Monday: Sunny with a high near 44. Calm wind becoming west around 6 mph in the afternoon. Monday night, mostly clear with a low around 26. Calm wind.
- Tuesday: Partly sunny with a high near 55. Calm wind becoming southwest 5 to 7 mph in the morning. Tuesday night has a chance of rain after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Chance of precipitation 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch are possible.
- Wednesday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy with a high near 55. Chance of precipitation 60%. Wednesday night calls for a chance of rain before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Chance of precipitation 30%.
- Thursday: Partly sunny with a high near 48. Thursday night, mostly clear with a low around 29.
- Friday: Sunny with a high near 56. Friday night, mostly clear with a low around 38.
- Saturday: Sunny with a high near 56.
Download the free The Augusta Chronicle app and turn on “Notifications” to get breaking news updates on the winter storm. Prefer email news alerts? Sign up for those here.
Video: WATCH IT: Winter storm sweeps through Georgia
A large winter storm moved through much of the East Coast this weekend. See photos from throughout Georgia.
Athens Banner-Herald, The Augusta Chronicle, USA Today
Steady snow started blanketing the Augusta area late Saturday morning, with the National Weather Service predicting that much of the snow will fall before 4 p.m.
A winter storm warning still is in effect until 10 a.m. Sunday. An extreme cold warning begins at 7 p.m. Saturday, ending 10 a.m. Sunday.
Public school districts in Richmond, Columbia, and Aiken counties have canceled all weekend school-related activities, waiting to see how much snow accumulates before deciding to change next week’s school schedule.
The Georgia Department of Transportation has announced that as of 6 p.m. Friday it had completed 85% of its planned brining of major Augusta-area roads. Crews treated all lane miles of Interstate 20 and Interstate 520/Bobby Jones Expressway.
Augusta’s public transit and its parks and recreation department are shutting down on Saturday.
The city of Augusta is maintaining a warming center at May Park Community Center, 622 Fourth St., from 5 to 9 p.m. daily.
National Weather Service forecast for the Augusta area
- Saturday: Snow. High near 32. North wind 8 to 14 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches is possible.
- Saturday night: Snow likely, mainly before 11 p.m. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing with a low around 14. Northwest wind 11 to 14 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of around an inch is possible.
- Sunday: Sunny with a high near 37. Northwest wind 9 to 11 mph. Evening mostly clear with a low around 17. Calm wind.
- Monday: Sunny with a high near 46. Calm wind becoming west around 6 mph in the morning. Evening mostly clear with a low around 27.
- Tuesday: Partly sunny with a high near 55. Evening mostly cloudy with a low around 41.
- Wednesday: Rain likely, mainly after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. The chance of precipitation is 60% through the evening with a low of about 37.
- Thursday: Chance of rain. Partly sunny with a high near 46. The chance of precipitation is 30%. Evening, partly cloudy with a low around 29.
- Friday: Sunny with a high near 53.
Download the free The Augusta Chronicle app and turn on “Notifications” to get breaking news updates on the winter storm. Prefer email news alerts? Sign up for those here.
Kennedy Center will close for 2 years for renovations in July, Trump says, after performers backlash
Unearthed photo of Swalwell meeting with top CCP official raises alarm bells: ‘Very disturbing’
Deputy AG denies 5-year-old, father has asylum claim after family released from ICE detention
Crockett says there’s ‘more than enough to impeach Donald Trump’ in Texas Senate debate
Palestinian immigrant convicted of second murder-for-hire plot hatched from North Carolina cell
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Kennedy Center will close for 2 years for renovations in July, Trump says, after performers backlash
Government shutdowns may be fewer, but they’re increasingly disruptive
These European airports have scrapped the 100ml limit
Minnesota citizens detained by ICE are left rattled, even weeks later
Trump says Iran ‘seriously talking to us’ as military ships head to Middle East
-
Massachusetts1 day agoTV star fisherman, crew all presumed dead after boat sinks off Massachusetts coast
-
Tennessee2 days agoUPDATE: Ohio woman charged in shooting death of West TN deputy
-
Pennsylvania7 days agoRare ‘avalanche’ blocks Pennsylvania road during major snowstorm
-
Movie Reviews6 days agoVikram Prabhu’s Sirai Telugu Dubbed OTT Movie Review and Rating
-
News1 week agoVideo: Jack Smith Defends His Trump Indictments During House Hearing
-
Science1 week agoLAUSD says Pali High is safe for students to return to after fire. Some parents and experts have concerns
-
Technology1 week agoThe TikTok deal is done, finally
-
Politics1 week agoTrump’s playbook falters in crisis response to Minneapolis shooting