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.

Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – One person is dead and two suspects have been detained in a fatal shooting that happened Saturday afternoon in Augusta.

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

Upon arrival, deputies located one male victim who was shot in the chest at least one time and taken to the hospital where he succumbed to his injury.

Two people have been detained at this time.  

No further information is available due to the active investigation.

The shooting comes amid an outbreak of violent crime that’s claimed more than 170 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.

Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

Augusta National said it is “assessing the effects” of Hurricane Helene but that the club is focused on the local community less than a day after the Category 4 storm battered much of the South, including Augusta, Ga.

The club’s chairman, Fred Ridley, released a short statement on social media addressing the “catastrophic and historic” storm on Saturday morning after Helene tore through the region, bringing strong winds and severe coastal flooding and leaving 225,000 Augustans without power.

“Our Augusta community has suffered catastrophic and historic impact from Hurricane Helene,” Ridley said in a statement. “We currently are assessing the effects at Augusta National Golf Club.”

“In the meantime our focus and efforts are foremost with our staff, neighbors and business owners in Augusta,” Ridley said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with them as well as everyone throughout Georgia and the Southeast who have been affected.”

The Masters host is just one of thousands of businesses and homes across the eastern seaboard that fell within Helene’s path on Thursday and Friday. The Category 4 storm is the most powerful hurricane to strike the United States in some time, bringing sustained winds upwards of 140 mph and killing at least 44 people throughout the South. Augusta, Ga. was in the center of the storm’s path, leaving many within the golf world to speculate on the club and surrounding area’s safety and well-being.

A photo posted to the popular aerial imaging site Eureka Earth on Friday afternoon appeared to show damage to dozens of trees in one of the club’s many perimeter parking lots, used for tournament patrons. No information has been shared about damages sustained within club gates, or to its golf course.

Augusta National is no stranger to the wrath of Mother Nature. A powerful ice storm struck down the club’s famed Eisenhower Tree in the winter of 2015, and a subsequent thunderstorm during the 2023 Masters sent a pair of trees tumbling over the 17th tee. No injuries were sustained in either event.

The 89th Masters Tournament will be played from April 9-13, 2025.

James Colgan

Golf.com Editor

James Colgan is a news and features editor at GOLF, writing stories for the website and magazine. He manages the Hot Mic, GOLF’s media vertical, and utilizes his on-camera experience across the brand’s platforms. Prior to joining GOLF, James graduated from Syracuse University, during which time he was a caddie scholarship recipient (and astute looper) on Long Island, where he is from. He can be reached at james.colgan@golf.com.

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