AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – More storms in the area could bring some lightning and flash flooding impacts with them. 

This time last week, the Savannah River saw low levels even with all the rain. 

Augusta Utilities says the cause was a door issue at the lock and dam after lightning struck a powerline. 

If it happened once, could it happen again?  

The Army Corp of Engineers says it’s not uncommon for them to lose power when it storms, meaning sometimes they lose control of the gates at the dam.  

They say they have backup plans in place, but those can only last for so long. 

Aging equipment can lead to problems. 

“I would probably say at least a dozen times a year, possibly more, we have issues with one line or the other,” said Scott Hyatt with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. 

Hyatt says storms last week knocked out both power and communications to the dam, keeping the gates open and dropping water levels by 2.5 feet. 

“Got about six inches lower than we’d like it to ever get,” he said. 

It led them to run on a backup generator and equipment from decades ago. 

“It’s a structure that was built in the 1930s. It’s been mothballed and idled since the 1980s. And had very, very little done to it. It’s in terrible shape, the generator that’s in there, the engine came from a Korean War era military vehicle,” said Hyatt. 

But they recently received funding to fix two of the gates next fall and get a new generator next year, so the problem becomes less common. 

“We don’t have a system on the dam that just tells us, ‘Hey, you’ve lost a phase of power.’ It just tells us whether we have power or not,” said Hyatt. 

Even though they do lose control of the dam, he says it won’t cause any excessive flooding. 

The Army Corp of Engineers says they do watch the dam and water levels closely but if your business, docks or boats are impacted to reach out. 

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 2-year-old involved in an unusual possible drowning last week died two days later the Richmond County Coroner announced Monday.

The Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen, says he responded to the Children’s Hospital Of Georgia, Wellstar/MCG in reference to a baby death.

Rayshon Roberts, 2, of Augusta, was taken to the hospital on July 24 after reportedly being found unresponsive in a bathtub, Bowen says.

He was pronounced dead at the hospital on July 26 at 11:36 p.m., Bowen says, and an autopsy has been scheduled.

Danashia McClennon, 20, was charged with cruelty to children in the first degree in connection with the case, according to jail records.

On Wednesday at 8:55 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the 700 block of Cross Tree Court near Cedar Ridge Apartments after a juvenile had been taken to a hospital by rescue crews, according to authorities.

A firefighter told authorities that when he arrived at the apartment, a woman was trying to give CPR to the child.

The firefighter said the woman said she’d left the child unattended in a bathtub for about 10 minutes and when she returned to check on him, he was face down in the water.

However, the firefighter said the child and his diaper were dry and that the woman also said she and the child were on a couch while she was playing games and she noticed the child to be unresponsive

An ambulance crew member also found the child dry and said the woman was unable to provide any information on him.

The child’s mother, who authorities found in the pediatric intensive-care unit, said she’d allowed a female to take care of the child and had received a call from the woman that the child had been taken to a hospital.

It’s unclear whether the woman at the apartment, the caregiver and McClennon are all the same person.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 2024 USA Cycling Masters & Juniors Road National Championship criterium finished over the weekend at the Augusta Common.

Organizers say roughly 1,000 bikers participated in the event.

The championship wrapped up around 7:30 p.m. but the impact from it is long term.

Organizers say this race is estimated to bring 1 million dollars to Augusta, which benefits our local economy.

People from all over the country – came to Augusta to cycle and enjoy the southern culture.

“Yeah, I think this event is a perfect example of what sports tourism does to our community,” said Michelle Pippin a member from Augusta Sports Council.

From Atlanta to California, thousands flooded the streets of Augusta.

But regardless of the distance, Bonnie Walker with USA Cycling says the garden city is the place to be.

“Our racers and riders families like to come to the city just to experience the south for those who aren’t from here and Augusta has just opened their arms and welcomed us in,” said Bonnie Walker from USA Cycling.

It’s not the first time Augusta has hosted USA Cycling, but for some in the crowd, this was their first time in the city.

“I have to say that everybody is so friendly- very real – very approachable. It’s a little hot and sticky for me but other than that it’s been quite a nice time being out here,” said Andrea Tyson.

One thing Andrea has enjoyed- is good southern food.

“I have tried a few local BBQ places and some Poke place,” said Tyson.

From the hospitality to the food, the Garden City welcomed all cyclists here with open arms.

Bonnie Walker says this is the last year Augusta will be hosting a USA Cycling Championship for a while.

She says while she is sad to leave Augusta, she hopes to host another event here soon rather than later.

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