Connect with us

Augusta, GA

Transformer fire set off safety alert at Plant Vogtle; alert terminated once fire extinguished

Published

on

Transformer fire set off safety alert at Plant Vogtle; alert terminated once fire extinguished


A transformer fire at Plant Vogtle in Waynesboro triggered a safety alert on Tuesday. The alert was resolved once the flames were extinguished.

Soon after the announcement, the alert was terminated, according to Georgia Power. Plant conditions didn’t impact public safety, according to experts.

Trained personnel are working on recovery efforts in close coordination with federal, state and local officials, noted Georgia Power in a news release.

More: Plant Vogtle nuclear reactor back in service after a shutdown due to ‘valve issue’

Advertisement

An ‘alert’ signals an event occurred that could cause safety concerns, according to the release. 

“Our top priority is the safety and health of the public and our employees,” said Plant Vogtle 1 & 2 site Vice President John Weissinger.  

There was no danger to the public, according to Georgia Power

This reporting content is supported by a partnership with several funders and Journalism Funding Funding Partners.

Erica Van Buren is the climate change reporter for The Augusta Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network. Connect with her at EVanBuren@gannett.com or on X: @EricaVanBuren32.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Augusta, GA

Operation City Clean-up initiative helps beautify Augusta

Published

on

Operation City Clean-up initiative helps beautify Augusta


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – As part of an effort to beautify Augusta, city leaders launched the Operation City Clean-up initiative on Saturday.

The Mayor’s Office collaborated with the sheriff’s office and other city departments in the Harrisburg corridor early Saturday to clean up trash and debris in the area.

The initiative aims to keep public spaces clean, such as parks, streets and parking lots, to create a welcome environment for the community.

The sheriff’s office believes that it may help deter people from littering.

Advertisement

“[I] might have people that might ride by throwing trash out in the car, you know, cans and stuff out the car. And that builds up,” said Omar Rouse, Captain of Richmond County Sheriff’s office. “So, what happens is if someone is riding down the road and they see [a] couple litter on the road, there’s nothing stopping them [from] saying ‘Oh, it’s already there. I might as well add to it.’ So, if they don’t see it, it’s kind of like a broken window there. They don’t see it, you know, they’re less likely going to throw trash out the windows.”

The Operation City Clean Up initiative also offers community service opportunities, which allow volunteers to receive double the volunteer hours they work.

If you would like to participate, you can meet the team at 400 Walton Way each Saturday, starting at 7:45 a.m. The cleanup efforts will last until noon.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Augusta, GA

Deadly storm leaves a path of damage through CSRA

Published

on

Deadly storm leaves a path of damage through CSRA


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.

Advertisement

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.

Our weather app can help you track storms, and you can get alerts from the News First Alert...

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.
A storm started a small fire near Midland Valley Estates on Jefferson Davis Highway in Aiken...
A storm started a small fire near Midland Valley Estates on Jefferson Davis Highway in Aiken County.(WRDW)

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.

Hurricane Helene damage

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.

Advertisement
First Alert meteorologist Emily Acton explains Saturday night’s storm and looks at what could be ahead for the CSRA.

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.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Augusta, GA

More changes at top come to Augusta VA Medical Center

Published

on

More changes at top come to Augusta VA Medical Center


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.

Advertisement

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

Covid-19 vaccine taken off recommended vaccine list for healthy children and pregnant people

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



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending