Augusta, GA
Leaders want you to conserve water, but they say rumors about shutoffs aren’t true
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Leaders in Augusta and other communities grappling with recovery from Hurricane Helene are urging people to conserve water – but they disavow rumors going around that they’ll shut off water use after a certain hour.
The rumors of water shutoff took flight Saturday, apparently fueled by social media.
That led Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson to make a statement at a news conference that the rumor was not true.
The rumor was perhaps fueled by a mixture of a curfew that’s been ordered as well as a request to conserve water.
But Johnson said at a news conference Saturday that it’s absolutely not true that either the city of Augusta or neighboring Columbia County will cut off water use for people.
He said it’s true that city officials are asking the public to conserve water.
And it’s true that in some cases utility workers have to isolate some water mains long enough to repair them, though that’s hard because of all the uprooted trees.
But the city is working to provide as much water as possible, he said.
Despite that claim, News 12 has gotten phone calls from viewers in south Augusta who complain that their water flow is down to a trickle, if that.
Requests for water conservation are being made by communities across the CSRA as widespread electrical outages continue. That’s electricity that normally pumps water from wells and refills water tanks.
Leaders want to keep water tanks as full as possible to meet demand, so they are asking people not to water their yards and to otherwise conserve water.
Among the requests:
- The cities of Girard, Vidette and Waynesboro request that water be conserved. If you need water, bring clean containers with lids and go to Burke County Emergency Management Agency stations at Spring Branch Church Road, Hephzibah-Keysville Road, Highway 305 in Gough, Story Mill Road, Highway 56 South between Waynesboro and Midville, and EMA headquarters in Waynesboro. Water is available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at these stations.
- The Allendale Water Department posted these tips on how to conserve water on a daily basis both inside and out, including turning off the water when brushing your teeth or shaving, reducing flushing and using washing machines for full loads only.
- The Edgefield County Water and Sewer is asking all customers to conserve water in the aftermath of Helene. All facilities are currently operating on generator power, but fuel supplies are limited at this time. Please use water for cooking, bathing and bathroom use only.
- The New Ellenton Commission of Public Works asks its customers to conserve water until power is restored. This will help the utility conserve water that’s currently in the tanks.
- Also asking for conservation of water is the Montmorenci-Couchton Water & Sewer District. Without power, the utility can’t operate its wells to pump water back into the tanks.
- The water system lost pressure in Jackson, and officials on Saturday asked that when service resumes, boil water before consuming it until further notice.
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An Augusta Tech plan to create an automotive service training center downtown finally has the funding to get rolling after more than four years of planning.
The U.S. Department of Commerce has approved Augusta Tech’s application for a $6.8 million grant to complete the Jim Hudson Automotive Institute, the workforce development school announced this week.
The campus will use the former site of Johnson Motor Co., a longtime Augusta Cadillac dealership on Walton Way that closed in 2021. Augusta Tech completed its purchase of the 6.5-acre property in December 2022.
“This grant is a powerful investment in Augusta’s economic future,” said Augusta Tech President Dr. Kendricks D. Hooker. “The Jim Hudson Automotive Institute will directly address critical workforce shortages while creating pathways to high-wage, in-demand careers for our students.”
Within a week of each other in April 2022, the Augusta National Golf Club and Columbia, S.C.-based Jim Hudson Automotive Group donated $1 million each to rev up the program.
“Anybody can sell a car,” company founder and principal Jim Hudson said at a June 2022 donation ceremony in the showroom of his Lexus dealership on Washington Road. “It takes a really good technician to keep it sold.”
Vehicles today aren’t just powered by gasoline or diesel fuel. Hybrid and electric vehicles are rising in popularity, and with it, the demand for more auto mechanics with high-tech training to repair increasingly computerized vehicles.
The facility will occupy about 33,000 square feet, or about half of the dealership building. The property’s layout as a working auto dealer will help flesh out the institute’s design “to support dealership operations, fleet maintenance and emerging vehicle technologies, while providing hands-on, industry-aligned instruction that responds to both regional and national labor market demand,” the school said in a statement.
Then-Augusta Tech President Dr. Jermaine Whirl told The Augusta Chronicle in 2022 that the school spent months talking with local auto dealers, transit companies, and other industry stakeholders to gauge interest in helping increase the auto-repair talent pool in the Augusta area.
The Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration approved the full grant request of $6,808,307, months after U.S. Rep. Rick Allen supported the grant application in a July 2025 letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
“Not only will this grant funding enable Augusta Tech to develop a Center for Excellence in Automotive Technology in Richmond County, but it will also equip hundreds of students and workers with the skills needed to succeed in our booming automotive manufacturing industry,” Allen said Tuesday.
Florida, Georgia wildfires prompt evacuations, travel chaos
Fast-moving Florida, Georgia wildfires prompt evacuations, travel chaos
Scripps News
Firefighters are battling wildfires in two southeastern states, prompting officials in one to issue its first ever burn ban, authorities said on April 22.
The blazes, created by “extreme drought,” are burning across parts of southern Georgia and northeast Florida, forcing road closures and destroying homes and buildings in their path, officials said.
In Georgia, the state’s Forestry Commission reported more than half of the state’s 159 counties had burn bans in effect. At the same time, burn bans were in effect for more than 40 counties in the Sunshine State, according to the Florida Forest Service.
“My office and I are working closely with the Georgia Forestry Commission to respond to the increasing threat of wildfires in South Georgia,” Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp wrote on X April 21. “If you are in a directly affected area, please adhere to guidance from your local officials to keep you and your family safe.”
The burn ban order prohibits the outside burning of trash and yard debris and agriculture material in the affected area. Campfires, fireworks and burn barrels are also not permitted.
The commission reported it marked the first time in the agency’s history that a mandatory ban on outdoor burning has been issued.
Slated to remain in effect for at least 30 days, the Georgia Forestry Commission said the ban includes regions below Atlanta and covers Harris County to Columbia County, south to the Florida line.
As of April 22, there were about a half dozen wildfires burning in the Peach State, USA TODAY data showed.
The Pineland Road fire, discovered on April 18 in Clinch County, about 13 miles northwest of Fargo, also continues to burn. As of the early afternoon of April 22, the fire had spread to nearly 9,000 acres and was 10% contained.
Where are wildfires burning in Georgia? See map.
The Georgia Forestry Commission reported 98% of Georgia’s total land area is experiencing moderate to exceptional drought conditions, and the number of wildfires statewide has now risen above Georgia’s five-year average.
The chance of rain is unlikely for most of the affected area in the coming days, the Georgia Forestry Commission said.
“The extreme drought conditions across Georgia are putting agriculture and forestry at significant risk, and I want to strongly encourage all Georgians to do the right thing and adhere to the Georgia Forestry Commission’s burn ban while these conditions persist,” Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J. Harper said in a news release.
Where are wildfires burning in Florida? See map.
At the same time, there were 135 wildfires burning almost 21,000 acres in Florida, the Tallahassee Democrat, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported.
Roads in Franklin and Levy counties remained closed there due to smoke, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The law enforcement agency was urging motorists to use caution.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.
Two Augusta-area Walmarts are among 13 Georgia locations that the retail giant plans to remodel and modernize in 2026.
In the past five years, the company said it has spent $961.5 million to upgrade its stores statewide.
Now, the company plans to change store layouts and services in its Augusta and Grovetown locations to make shopping faster and more convenient.
The locations are the Augusta Walmart Supercenter at 3338 Wrightsboro Road, near Augusta Mall, and the Grovetown Walmart Neighborhood Market at 5303-A Wrightsboro Road, where Wrightsboro and Harlem-Grovetown roads meet.
The Augusta location has been undergoing renovations since last fall.
The stores, when completely renovated, will include updated pharmacies offering vaccines, free delivery and clinical services such as basic health screenings and same-day testing for strep, the flu and COVID-19. Vision Centers also will be redesigned for improved privacy.
Also, computer apps will help customers better navigate stores, scan products’ prices and find exclusive app-only shopping deals.
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