Augusta, GA

Civil Air Patrol joins hurricane relief efforts in Augusta

Published

4 hours ago

September 30, 2024

Civil Air Patrol joins hurricane relief efforts in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Civil Air Patrol’s Georgia Wing joined the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency Sunday for Hurricane Helene relief efforts needed in the aftermath of the storm that left devastation across multiple eastern states.

Civil Air Patrol teams are assisting local officials with humanitarian efforts after the hurricane left millions of homes without power.

Teams of volunteers were sent to three locations in the Augusta area to assist in food and water distribution to local communities.

RESOURCES FOR YOU:

The effort frees up emergency responders so they are able to continue focusing on life-saving calls for assistance, according to the Civil Air Patrol.

“Following Hurricane Helene, our trained and professional volunteers are ready to step in and provide critical support,” Georgia Wing Commander Col. Michael Willis. “Our commitment is to support our partners and ensure the people impacted by this disaster receive the assistance they need as quickly and effectively as possible.”

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

Hurricane Helene: Community updates from across CSRA

Take a look at the recent updates across the CSRA as a result of Hurricane Helene, including travel warnings, open gas stations, restaurants and grocery stores along with power outages and other updates for the public.

Augusta storm damage from Hurricane Helene.

Georgia Power crews deploy to help Texans affected by Beryl

Trees have fallen across the CSRA as a result of Hurricane Helene.

The Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, plays a critical role in emergency services and disaster response operations.

Working in close coordination with state and local agencies, volunteers provide essential support in times of need, often serving as a force multiplier when disasters strike.

Its diverse capabilities include aerial reconnaissance, search and rescue, and ground team support, to ensure timely and effective responses to natural and man-made disasters.

During operations, CAP members assist by conducting aerial photography to assess storm damage, delivering essential supplies to isolated areas, and even performing search-and-rescue missions for missing people.

Source link

Augusta, GA

Augusta shooting on River Ridge Drive sends woman to hospital

Published

11 hours ago

September 30, 2024

Press Room

Augusta shooting on River Ridge Drive sends woman to hospital

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – One person was injured in a shooting Sunday night in Augusta.

It happened around 6:33 p.m. Sunday in the 1000 block of River Ridge Drive, according to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

The victim, a woman, was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Due to the active investigation, no further information is available.

It was Augusta’s second shooting in 24 hours, and the second since Hurricane Helene laid waste to the community.

The other shooting was reported just before 5:30 p.m. Saturday at 10th and Florence streets, according to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

Upon arrival, deputies located one male victim who was dead.

The shootings come amid an outbreak of violent crime that’s claimed more than 180 lives in a little over two years across the CSRA.

The crime outbreak has affected communities large and small, but as the biggest city in the region, Augusta has been hit especially hard.

Authorities have blamed much of the problem on gangs.

Source link

Augusta, GA

Chemical fire closes stretch of I-20 between Augusta, Atlanta

Published

19 hours ago

September 29, 2024

Press Room

Chemical fire closes stretch of I-20 between Augusta, Atlanta

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – An incident at a Rockdale County chemical facility has closed a section of Interstate 20 between Augusta and Atlanta.

It also prompted a shelter-in-place order, evacuations and other road closures, officials said.

Around 5 a.m., a sprinkler at the BioLab facility on Old Covington Highway in Conyers malfunctioned and sprayed water on a chemical, causing a reaction that created a large, hazardous smoke plume, which then began drifting to the northeast, Rockdale County Fire Chief Marian McDaniel said shortly after 10 a.m.

The malfunction also caused a small fire on the BioLab roof, which was contained, McDaniel said.

The fire has since reignited, and a huge plume of smoke is billowing from the facility, prompting an evacuation order for anyone between Sigman Road and I-20, according to county officials. Anyone in the evacuation zone needs to leave the area, officials said. Anyone outside the zone is asked to stay away.

Officials said I-20 would be blocked off in both directions between Salem Road and Turner Hill. The Georgia State Patrol has been called in to help with traffic control in the area, the sheriff’s office said.

The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency has issued a shelter-in-place order on behalf of the Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency for residents in the north half of the county, above Sigman Road. Those residents should remain indoors with the windows and doors closed, and should turn off their air conditioners.

Source link

Augusta, GA

LIST: What’s open? Gas stations, restaurants and grocery stores in the CSRA

Published

1 day ago

September 29, 2024

Press Room

LIST: What’s open? Gas stations, restaurants and grocery stores in the CSRA

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Across the CSRA restaurants, grocery stores and gas stations have been impacted by Helene.

We’re On Your Side with what’s open. We’ll continue to update this list with places and timestamps.

Gas stations:

As of 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Costco Gas station
As of 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Pilot Travel Center on Gun Club Road
As of 11:20 a.m. Sunday, Enmarket, 12545 Heritage Highway, Bamberg, S.C.
As of 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Circle K on Jimmie Dyess.
As of 11:45 a.m. Sunday, Golden Pantry on Lincolnton Road

Grocery stores:

As of Saturday, Kroger on Washington Road
As of Saturday, Publix on Washington Road
As of Saturday, Walmart in Evans.
As of Saturday, Publix on Furys Ferry
As of Saturday, Lowe’s in Columbia County
As of Saturday, Edgefield Butcher Shop
As of 11 a.m. Sunday, Walmart in Swainsboro was open for groceries only. No gas.
Piggly Wiggly in Bamberg County

Restaurants:

Toaste Augusta
As of Saturday, Pool Room in Edgefield
As of Sunday at noon, Okinawa: Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bowl is open for dine-in and takeout services. Cash only. They cannot accept call-in orders.

Other:

Twin City Home & Hardware, 10 GA-192, is open. They plan to be there until 4 p.m. Sunday. Cash only. Bring a flashlight and patience. They had charcoal, extension cords, flashlights batteries and more.
The Barnwell County YMCA will be open Sunday from 1-5 p.m. for showers, WiFi and charging devices only.
Salvation Army feeding locations for Sunday until 1 p.m.: Odell Weeks Parking Lot, Salvation Army Soup Kitchen at 604 Park Avenue and the Salvation Army Office, 322 Gayle Avenue.

Source link