Augusta, GA

Georgia Power crews ‘ready to help’ during winter storm

Published

1 year ago

January 8, 2025

Georgia Power crews ‘ready to help’ during winter storm

AUGUSTA, Ga. – As highway crews prepare roadways for a winter storm that’s approaching the Peach State, Georgia Power is getting ready, too.

“We are ready to help where needed,” said Alicia Brown, spokesperson for the utility that’s just come off Hurricane Helene, the must destructive disaster in the company’s history.

In the CSRA, a wintry mix is possible Friday into Saturday for areas near and north of Interstate 20. A FIRST ALERT has been issued to give proper preparedness for potential minor winter impacts.

Brown said Georgia Power is also closely monitoring the forecast to be ready to respond should the storm cause widespread power outages.

“We have continued to invest in our grid to make sure during times like these that we can get the power back on as quickly as possible,” Brown said.

The upside of the winter storm coming after Helene – and disaster that wiped out electric service across Augusta for days, and weeks in some cases – is that many of the weaker trees were brought down.

The downside is that there are still many trees with perilously hanging branches that could come down without much effort.

Stay informed

Outage Alerts – Customers subscribed to our free Georgia Power Outage Alert service will receive personalized notifications and updates via text message. Check that your contact number is up to date to receive the latest information.
Outage and storm center – Available at https://www.georgiapower.com/about/safety/outages-storm-center.html?cid=redirect_vanity_storm, customers can visit this site to check their contact information is updated to receive Outage Alerts, report and check the status of outages, and access useful safety tips and information. Customers can also report and check the status of an outage 24 hours a day by contacting Georgia Power at 888-891-0938.
Outage map – Housed within the Outage & Storm Center, Georgia Power’s interactive Outage Map provides near real-time information, allowing users to see where outages are occurring across the state and track estimated restoration times.
Georgia Power mobile app – Download the Georgia Power mobile app for Apple and Android devices to access storm and outage information on the go.
@GeorgiaPower on X – Follow @GeorgiaPower on X for storm tips, outage updates, customer service and more.

Tips

Optimize heating – Heating can account for 50% of a home’s typical winter energy usage. Enhance the efficiency of your heating unit by changing filters monthly, or every three months for pleated filters. Make sure heating vents and return air registers are unobstructed by furniture or drapes.
Check your insulation – Keep heat where it belongs by ensuring proper insulation in attics and walls. Replace any cracked or peeling caulk or weatherstripping around doors and windows to save up to 10 percent on energy usage and reduce cold air infiltration into your home.
Adjust your thermostat – Set your manual thermostat to 68 degrees or lower. Each degree lower can result in a 3-4% decrease in energy consumption. Or take advantage of programmable thermostat features if available to save energy throughout the day.
Utilize natural heat – Open blinds and shades on sunny days to naturally warm your home at no cost. Close them at night to minimize the chill from cold windows.

Source link

Augusta, GA

Dead body found near railroad tracks at Walton Way

Published

7 hours ago

February 2, 2026

Press Room

Dead body found near railroad tracks at Walton Way

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.

Source link

Augusta, GA

Augusta-area authorities asks motorists to stay off snowy, icy roads

Published

19 hours ago

February 1, 2026

Press Room

Augusta-area authorities asks motorists to stay off snowy, icy 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.

Source link

Augusta, GA

Expecting snow, Augusta suspends bus service, closes recreation spots

Published

1 day ago

February 1, 2026

Press Room

Expecting snow, Augusta suspends bus service, closes recreation spots

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.

Source link