AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A deadly storm left a path of damage in the CSRA as it lashed its way through the region Saturday night.

Sheets of rain came down as thunder roared and winds gusted during the storm that started suddenly – although not unexpectedly, since News 12 meteorologists had issued a FIRST ALERT for possible severe weather.

Stretching across the region, the storm left one person dead in Banks County, Ga.

In the CSRA, much of the damage was in Aiken County, including trees that came down and blocked roads in the Rapids neighborhood off River Bluff Drive in North Augusta. In that same neighborhood, part of a shed blew into a road.

Also in North Augusta, power was out from Exit 1 of Interstate 20 all the way down Martintown Road to Georgia Avenue. At the exit, Waffle House employees were standing around outside waiting for power to come back on.

In total, about 4,000 Dominion Energy customers were without power at one point in Aiken County. For the current Dominion outage map, visit https://outagemap.dominionenergysc.com/.

In Augusta, electricity was out for about 2,000 Georgia Power customers at one point. For the current outage map, visit https://outagemap.georgiapower.com/.

Other problems included:

• A tree was down at Cherokee Drive and Jefferson Davis Highway in Clearwater. Also, one power pole and power lines were down.
• A tree came down on a house on Hammond Road.
• A transformer blew at Maple Street and Truman Avenue and set grass on fire in New Ellenton.
• A tree blocked tree Mount Calvary Road in Aiken County.
• The storm started a small brush fire near Midland Valley Estates on Jefferson Davis Highway. The source of the fire appeared to be a transformer.
• In Edgefield County, power poles and power lines were down in the 800 block of Highway 283. Neighbors came out to direct traffic.

Elsewhere in the region, the Georgia Department of Public Safety said one person was killed when a tree came down on his car in Banks County.

Jason Keith Payne, 56, was driving east on Georgia Highway 51 when a tree on the south side of the highway fell onto his car. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp expressed condolences.

“Join us in praying for the loved ones of a Georgian tragically lost tonight due to the severe storms,” he said Saturday night in a post on X. “As we keep them in our thoughts, we’re also praying for the first responders rushing to help those affected by this strong weather system and the safety of those in its path.”

There could be more severe weather ahead.

A FIRST ALERT remains in effect Sunday and Monday for the chance of severe storms.

The Storm Prediction Center has placed the CSRA, including Augusta and Aiken, in its category of slight risk (2 out of 5) for severe thunderstorms Sunday and Monday, with damaging winds and large hail being the main concerns.

Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – There are more changes coming to the Augusta Veterans Affairs Medical Center amid an investigation at the center.

Lovetta Ford is now the new acting medical center director.

She replaces Oscar Rodriguez, “who is on administrative leave while VA conducts an investigation of the leadership climate in Augusta,” a department spokesman said.

This follows changes made a few months ago in March.

Rodriguez previously replaced Dr. Robin Jackson, who was reassigned to Atlanta.

The Department of Veterans Affairs says it plans to continue providing high-quality care and service to veterans.

Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – It’s a musical that many of us can relate to, the journey of finding yourself and the struggles that come with mental health.

The Augusta Junior Players last performance of the season is “Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief.”

We sat down with the director and some of the cast members before they take the stage.

It’s rehearsal time at the Augusta Players new home.

The Augusta Junior Players are gearing up for Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief.

“So if you don’t know the story, the series, or the movie, there’s something for everyone. I think our parents will identify with it as well as our younger audience members,” said Roy Lewis, director.

Lewis says it’s a new twist on Greek mythology, with Percy Jackson on a mission.

“Percy, who struggles with dyslexia and ADHD, and he struggles to find his identity, and so the story is beautiful in that respect,” said Lewis.

The cast is full of different personalities.

Ella Jane Anderson is the antagonist, Clarise.

“She’s just very big and angsty, and always looking for a fight,” said Anderson.

This is a role that Anderson says is outside her comfort zone, but she’s taking it head-on.

“I’ve never had to work with a weapon before. And now all of a sudden, I’m practicing with a sword. It’s crazy, I’ve never had to do combat before. All of a sudden, it’s like, fight with someone, fight with a spear. I’m like…okay,” said Anderson.

There’s also some comic relief.

That’s where Braylen Fergerson comes in, playing the role of Grover.

“Overall, he’s just a very fun character, and it’s actually one of my dream roles, so it’s been exciting playing him,” said Ferguson.

When the cast bows and the curtain closes, the Augusta Junior Players hope you leave feeling empowered.

“It’s okay to be different, it’s okay to struggle with some things because eventually you’re going to find out on your quest where you belong and who you belong to,” said Lewis.

The performance is June 13 at 7 p.m., and June 14 with showings at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

You can get your tickets by going to https://augustaplayers.org/buy-tickets/.

Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.