Augusta, GA
4.1-magnitude quake rattles parts of region, and some feel it here
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Some Georgia residents were startled Saturday morning as an earthquake from Tennessee shook several nearby states.
The quake’s epicenter was near Greenback, about 30 miles southwest of Knoxville. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, it happened at 9:04 a.m. and had an estimated magnitude of 4.1.
According to the Augusta Fire Department and Emergency Management Agency, a few people could feel it in Augusta.
One resident of Fort Eisenhower wrote on Facebook: “It was very minor, just some bookshelves tapping against the wall, so it would’ve been missed if we hadn’t have been just waking up.”
Another Augusta resident reported her bathroom door rattled.
But people across metro Atlanta and as far south as Macon said the quake shook their homes. Tremors were also felt near Charlotte.
U.S. Geological Survey research geophysicist William Yeck said the quake happened in the Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone, which is made up of several small, deep fault lines. This earthquake’s epicenter was about 12 miles below the surface.
“We do expect for earthquakes to happen here, so we know they can happen, but they just happen so rarely that people just aren’t used to experiencing them,” he said.
More than 40,000 people called the Geological Survey to report the earthquake.
Gabriela Reilly was making waffles with her husband when they felt their entire home shake in Braselton, Ga., northeast of Atlanta.
“Our ceiling fan started shaking for about 10 seconds,” she said. “I thought a giant aircraft had flown low right over the neighborhood, but my husband said, ‘No, that was definitely an earthquake!’”
Jason Pack was still in bed at his home outside Knoxville when he felt the walls shaking and heard a rumbling that was loud enough to wake up his family and for the dog to start barking.
“In east Tennessee, you’re used to tornadoes and floods, that kind of thing,” Pack said. “It’s unusual to have an earthquake.”
Pack has experienced tremors before, although this one is probably the strongest he’s felt in Tennessee.
“Even though this one was small, it’s a good reminder — if it had been a big quake, would you know what to do? Drop, cover, and hold on if you’re inside,” said Pack, a retired FBI agent who now works in crisis communications. “Stay clear of buildings if you’re outside.”
Yeck said earthquakes in the eastern U.S. tend to travel farther than those to our west because the rock is older and denser, acting as a better carrier for seismic waves.
Damage does not usually occur from earthquakes until they reach a magnitude of somewhere above 4 or 5, according to experts, although it depends on variables such as building construction, soil and distance from the epicenter.
Since 1950, 15 other earthquakes of magnitude 4 or larger have occurred within 155 miles of Saturday’s earthquake. The largest of those was a magnitude 4.7 earthquake near Knoxville in November 1973.
Experts say there’s a 5% chance of an aftershock with a magnitude of 4 or larger in the next week.
Earthquakes aren’t necessarily uncommon across Georgia, or even in the CSRA.
On April 7, three earthquakes were felt in Columbia County:
- One 9.1 miles northwest of Evans at 8:01 p.m. at a depth of 10 kilometers with a magnitude of 1.8.
- One 6.8 miles north of Harlem at 8:26 p.m. with a magnitude of 1.9 and a depth of one kilometer.
- One 9.6 miles northwest of Grovetown at 11:03 p.m. with a magnitude of 1.7 and a depth of 2 kilometers.
Those came nearly a week after two earthquakes were recorded near Grovetown.
Near the epicenter of Saturday’s earthquake, Blount County Emergency Management Agency Director Lance Coleman said there were no reports of injuries or damage, but officials did get a lot of phone calls.
A Tennessee Valley Authority representative said only one dam, Fontana Dam, saw enough movement to require inspection, and no issues were found.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park said a portion of Foothills Parkway West was shut down and would remain closed until it is inspected by the Federal Highway Administration.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation’s Mark Nagi said there were no reports of damaged roads, but officials would be inspecting bridges throughout the next few weeks as a precaution.
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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Brent McMillian is being appointed as the new director of athletics at Augusta University, President Russell Keen announced Monday.
McMillian will begin the role on June 8, 2026.
According to AU, McMillian brings 13 years of athletics experience to the position. He previously served as Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Engagement and Revenue Generation at Lipscomb University at Nashville.
“His vision aligns seamlessly with our goals for Jaguar Athletics: to champion student-athlete wellbeing, strengthen our competitive success, deepen community engagement, and build a vibrant, spirited campus culture,” Keen said. “His experience, combined with his personal connection to Augusta University, positions him to hit the ground running in a meaningful way.”
McMillian is a graduate of Greenbrier High School and attended Augusta University before completing his degree at the University of Tennessee.
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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Local restaurants hosted brunches for Mother’s Day, allowing neighbors to celebrate the day with the special women in their lives.
The Brunch House of Augusta on Greene Street hosted a brunch. The restaurant served berry pancakes and French toast, waffles, ham and cheese breakfast sliders and more breakfast foods.
One of the owners said the holidays are a great time for them to make connections with the community.
“We just had a group here come here that’s been coming here every year Mother’s Day for three years, every year basically since we’ve been open, they come in every year for Mother’s Day. We have people from out of town come and travel and visit us, so it’s definitely building that connection,” said Ashley Brown, co-owner of The Brunch House of Augusta.
Brown said they will be offering some specials for the upcoming Juneteenth holiday next month.
The Frog and the Hen also hosted a Mother’s Day brunch. The restaurant had about 350 people come in as of around 3 p.m.
They served foods like fried chicken, cheddar biscuits, French toast casserole and more.
The general manager said she enjoys seeing families come in for holidays like Mother’s Day.
“I feel like these are all my children here, so I feel like this day just in general, like I get to be the mother here, and so this is like I’m mother hen, so I get to take care of all this. I love supporting all the people as well and just being able to get the best food possible, the best chicken everywhere,” said Sheridan Roberts, general manager of Frog and the Hen.
Roberts said they often have to stop making reservations a few weeks ahead of the holiday due to the amount they receive.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Dr. Russell Ray Moores, 91, passed away peacefully on May 9, 2026, at home, surrounded by family in Augusta Georgia. Born on February 25, 1935, in Webster Grove, Missouri, to Floyd Russell Moores and Dorotha Campbell Moores, he lived a life marked by dedication to his family, education, and community.
Dr. Moores’ academic journey began at Arkansas State University and continued at the Medical College of Arkansas, where he graduated in 1958 at the age of 23. His post-graduate training took him to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York; Barnes Hospital in St Louis; and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where he spent two years. Following his time at NIH and 2 years of active-duty service in the US Navy in Oakland, Ca., Dr. Moores joined the faculty at the Medical College of Georgia as a Hematologist/Oncologist. Over the course of an extraordinary 50-year career, he rose to the rank of Professor Emeritus before retiring at the age of 80. In addition to his academic contributions, he served as medical director for St. Joseph Hospice during the 1990’s and traveled extensively across the United States and abroad as a distinguished lecturer.
Dr. Moores was deeply committed to his Catholic faith throughout his life and was a founder of St Ignatius Antioch Melkite Catholic Church in Augusta. His passion for service extended beyond medicine and faith into numerous cultural and civic endeavors. He was the General Manager of the Augusta Opera during the 1970’s and played a pivotal role as a founder of the Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival. A dedicated historian and genealogist, he served as president of the Augusta Genealogical Society for many years and was actively involved in historic preservation efforts. Dr. Moores also contributed his expertise as a member of both the original Coliseum Authority and the Board of the Parapsychology Lab in Durham N.C.
An individual with diverse interests and talents, Dr. Moores loved running and completed numerous marathons and ultra-marathons over his lifetime. He was an accomplished harpsichord player who also enjoyed studying foreign languages and had a deep appreciation for fine wine.
Dr. Moores is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Helen Dorothy Byrnes Moores; their children: Russell Jr., along with his wife Missey; Darryl; Cheryl Priessman; Sean, along with his wife Danielle; Christian, along with his wife Mary Ann; Duane; and Doreen Worden, along with her husband Greg; as well as grandchildren Damian, Aaron, Colleen, Noah, Scott, Austin, Ian, Alysha, Trevor, Clayton, and Addy; and 5 great-grandchildren who brought him immense joy.
He was predeceased by his parents; his sister Marjorie Marilyn Anderson; but leaves behind countless cherished memories for those who knew him.
Special thanks are extended to Trinity Hospice and the Southern Touch Homecare for their outstanding care during Dr. Moores’ final months.
In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society in honor of his legacy.
May Dr. Russell Ray Moores’ memory bring comfort to all who were fortunate enough to know him. A man whose life was defined by love for others and an unwavering commitment to making a difference in every sphere he touched. He was “practically perfect in every way”.
A memorial service will be held Friday, May 15, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. in the chapel of Thomas Poteet & Son with Fr. Mark Ross officiating.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, beginning at 1:00 P.M., at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com
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