How to protect older homes as cold temps sweep in

Published

2 years ago

January 19, 2024

How to protect older homes as cold temps sweep in

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – With temperatures dipping dangerously low in the CSRA, you might be getting creative trying to keep warm.

This time of year, we see a lot of home fires. So many that it’s consistently earned Augusta a top spot in the country for the most home fires.

Back in 2021, Augusta ranked third out of 150 cities. In 2023, we improved a little but not enough to get out of the top 10 coming in ninth.

One reason is the age of our homes.

A map of the average age of homes in the metro shows the spots shaded red are areas where most homes are 80 years or older.

Most of the city of Augusta falls into that category, making home fires more likely and often more deadly.

For Christy Beckham, there are photos containing many lessons learned when it comes to her historic home on Greene Street.

“These houses are not efficient but there are things you can do to make them more efficient,” said Beckham.

She says when she bought the at-risk home four years ago, there were many unknowns.

“We ended up spending so much money that we really didn’t understand or didn’t plan for properly. Electrical plumbing, HVAC, the things you don’t see,” she said.

Beckham says they had to replace some original windows, add mini split cooling and heating units and do other renovations because it affects how heat is distributed.

“Some people go to kind of drastic measures to keep your house warm and sometimes it can lead to fires, or you know, damage,” said Beckham.

The American Red Cross says home heating is one of the leading causes of home fires and injury in the country.

Many of these homes were built in the 1960s with not in mind of all the appliances and devices we leave plugged in now.

Beckham says an older home takes time, money and energy to keep safe, but it’s worth it if it’s done right.

“They were so necessary, and they were huge upgrades. This house is now much safer and much more efficient, much warmer in the winter,” said Beckham.

Experts say space heaters should never be left plugged in overnight or plugged into an extension cord.

A fire should never be left burning unattended, and all furnaces, chimneys and stoves should be inspected yearly, especially in older homes that could have more wear and tear.

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Augusta Men’s and Women’s Tennis Home Opener Postponed – Augusta University

Published

7 minutes ago

February 2, 2026

Press Room

Augusta Men’s and Women’s Tennis Home Opener Postponed – Augusta University

AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Augusta University men’s and women’s tennis home opener against Benedict College, originally scheduled for Feb. 3 at 1 p.m. at Newman Tennis Center, has been postponed.

The Augusta University women’s tennis team will travel to face Erskine College on Feb. 5 in Due West.

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Augusta, GA

Dead body found near railroad tracks at Walton Way

Published

12 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.

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Augusta, GA

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

Published

1 day 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.

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