Augusta, GA
Washouts, floods and mud: Debby leaves damage across CSRA
SYLVANIA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Parts of the CSRA are a wet, muddy mess after Tropical Storm Debby dumped double-digit rain totals on the area.
Especially hard-hit were eastern and southern counties, where many roads were washed out or flooded.
And unlike Augusta, where the rain stopped Tuesday night, the skies were still emptying themselves over places like Screven County, where there were showers on and off all Wednesday ahead of possibly more rain Thursday.
It’s bad enough to keep schools in the county closed for the rest of the week in both Screven and Jenkins counties.
Screven County
Any dirt road in Screven County – and there are many – was a no-go on Wednesday.
Eureka Road was washed out over the dam at Meldrin Millpond near Savannah Highway.
It left about 15 people stranded on one side of the washout.
“This is a dead-end road,” said Codie Toole. “You got one way in, one way out.”
“Obviously, we didn’t know it was this much rain, but it was, it was a lot of rain,” Toole said. “Obviously, the road is – it ain’t much, ain’t much you could do with it.”
Heavy equipment was brought in to help after the Screven County Emergency Management Agency raised concerns the dam might fail.
Load after load of dirt was dumped and then spread to help fill in some of the gaps left by the washout.
Toole said it was great to see all the community support, with county crews and others coming out to help.
“Oh, it’s awesome. That’s what this community is about, helping each other,” he said. “It’s most action we’ve had on this road in a while.”
Halcyondale Road remained flooded – as it had been on Tuesday – and 10 people had to be evacuated off of Rocky Ford Road, though no injuries were reported.
Quite a few paved roads were underwater, or the debris patterns showed they recently had been.
County officials wanted to close more roads Tuesday when the storm came in, but they couldn’t do that because they ran out of orange barrels and signs.
Some Screven County neighbors said their yards were under 16 inches to 2 feet of water.
“I don’t even have words to describe this,” the chief deputy said. “It is nothing but a huge mess. I can’t put words to what we are seeing.”
National Guard troops arrived Wednesday morning to offer help where they could. They were requested by county officials after being activated by Gov. Brian Kemp ahead of the storm. They were bringing heavy equipment to deal with debris and trees.
WHAT’S AHEAD?
- Debby has gone out to sea for now, but the slow-moving storm is expected to move back inland, bringing more rain Thursday to the already saturated region. South Carolina counties are at more risk than the Georgia side of the CSRA. A slight flood risk has been issued for many local counties, but that will all depend on Debby’s eventual track.
Although areas are underwater, crews are only taking out the boat if there are life-safety issues.
One woman had water up to her knees. She told us the rainwater level reached the level of the pond on her property.
Her family had multiple vehicles sitting in the water, and she feared they might be totaled.
She was trying to rescue her chickens Wednesday morning, but she wasn’t optimistic.
Another homeowner called the flooding a “devastating blow to farmers.”
On Tuesday night, Screven County emergency management officials were very concerned about the amount of rain that fell – a total they say they’ve never seen.
At Rocky Ford, which got the most recorded rain in the county, the Ogeechee River looked perilously high. One longtime resident said he’d only seen it that high one time before.
As of Wednesday morning, here were some of the rain totals in Screven County:
- Rocky Ford: 12.89 inches.
- Newington: 11.38 inches.
- Sylvania: 9.33 inches.
- Burtons Ferry: 8.96 inches.
- Sylvania Airport: 8.23 inches.
- Hiltonia: 4.99 inches.
Allendale County
Allendale County Emergency Management Agency officials told News 12 on Wednesday that Tuesday’s rain was they most they had seen – definitely more than the last few hurricanes.
Williams Road in Fairfax was washed out, and was blocked from end to end. Here’s a look at the water washing over it:
Also washed out was Stillwood Road.
Citadel Road was flooded just off Allendale-Fairfax Highway. At the corner, the owner of Showroom Discount Warehouse said it’s the only flooring place in town. The business couldn’t get deliveries in and out because of the flood and was having some septic tank issues.
There were surely more flooded roads, but officials were still riding routes to check around midday Wednesday.
Some areas were underwater, including some farmland along Confederate Highway.
At a home along Buford’s Bridge Highway, no one was there, but the yard and driveway were underwater.
There was flooding all around Fairfax Gardens Apartments at 772 Saluda Ave., which is home to many seniors. Fire crews tried to clear the water Tuesday, but they weren’t successful.
Many residents left Tuesday, and those who stayed did so by choice.
Burke County
In Sardis, Tom Bargeron Road was washed out near Highway 23. On Wednesday morning, the asphalt had been peeled away atop culverts that run underneath the roadway. Water swirled along the side of the road.
It’s a familiar problem to the area. The road was replaced about 10 years ago due to flooding and washouts from the creek that runs under it. Crews installed four large culverts to help move the water. But on Tuesday, that wasn’t enough.
Also in Sardis, Beaver Dam Road was closed Wednesday.
Just a few miles to the northeast, Perry Road was washed out off of Stoney Bluff Road. That’s east of Girard.
Flooding forced the Georgia Department of Transportation to close State Highway 24 north of Alexander-Munnerlyn Road in Burke County on Tuesday night. And Mill Pond Road near Murray Hill Road was closed due to flooding.
Also in Burke County, part of a tree broke and penetrated the roof of a home in Sardis off Zeigler Circle on Doris Lane. No injuries were reported.
Even though winds have been relatively low, it doesn’t take much to bring down a tree in soggy ground.
Falling trees have been deadly during the storm. A 19-year-old man in Moultrie died when a tree fell through a home Monday afternoon.
Jenkins County
Flooded rural roads were also a problem in Jenkins County, where rainfall totaled 5 to 6 inches, depending on location.
Jones Plantation Road was covered in 7 inches of water Tuesday evening. That was up from 5 inches in less than two hours.
Jenkins and Emanuel counties both had all hands on deck, with first responders of every kind on standby, from law enforcement to rescue crews.
WHAT ABOUT THE RIVERS?
- One thing we probably won’t have to worry about is flooding from the Savannah River. Although the river is expected to rise about 6 feet by Thursday night, it will still be below the lowest flood stage at that point. The Ogeechee River at Midville, however, could reach minor flood stage by Thursday night, when it will have risen by 5 to 6 feet.
Bamberg County
Bamberg County, which is still recovering from a Jan. 9 tornado, was mostly unscathed by Debby.
Some trees came down Tuesday night, but crews had already cleared them by the middle of Wednesday.
The only closed road was Turkeycut Road.
Bamberg County spokeswoman Alisha Moore said people are just hunkering down for the second round of Debby on Thursday.
County officials ask people to stay off the roads – and don’t go try to see the flooding if there is any.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for assistance in locating a man who who has not been since Sunday.
Christopher Floyd, 31, was last seen May 3, 2026 on the 3500 block of Melody Drive. He was last seen wearing blue shorts and white t-shirt.
Officials say Floyd is possibly in possession of a 2007 Cadillac Escalade.
Anyone that comes in contact with Christopher Floyd or has any information as to his location is asked to contact RCSO at (706) 821-1080 or (706) 821-1020.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Mayor Garnett Johnson is making his case for reelection, pointing to economic growth and new investments as evidence he deserves four more years leading Augusta-Richmond County.
Johnson sat down with WRDW as part of a series featuring all four candidates in the mayoral race.
The incumbent launched his reelection bid with three promises: more economic growth, smarter spending and a government that delivers results.
“Growing our economic opportunities through jobs and investments, growing our population, growing our housing inventory,” Johnson said.
New employers and bipartisan funding
Johnson pointed to new investments including incoming employers like Aurubis and NetJets. He also credited a bipartisan approach to securing funding from both the Biden and Kemp administrations.
“My only fight is Augusta’s fight, so you let the Democrats and Republicans and Independents fight the battles in Atlanta and in Washington,” Johnson said. “My only fight is making sure that we secure the funding to make sure that Augusta continues to grow and to thrive.”
SPLOST 9 and Riverwalk improvements
Johnson discussed SPLOST 9, which he said combines lifestyle options and basic infrastructure. The package includes critical needs for the sheriff’s office, addressing concerns around the safety and condition of the jail.
“Those that are housed in our jail are considered innocent until found guilty,” Johnson said.
The plan also includes reimagining the Riverwalk.
“The Riverwalk is actually our front door and our living room. As people come to visit, the first place they want to see is the Riverwalk,” Johnson said.
The project would also address the boathouse, which is currently abandoned and not open to the public. Johnson said the goal is to open it for wedding anniversaries, wedding receptions, graduation parties and family reunions.
COVID rental assistance issues
Johnson’s tenure has faced challenges, including more than six million dollars in federal COVID rental assistance funds that were not distributed as intended. The money was meant to help Augusta families pay rent and utilities.
Johnson said the accounting issues occurred prior to his administration, but his office uncovered the problems.
“We’re changing that. We’re exposing things that should have been exposed years ago,” Johnson said. “We have the administrator’s office as well as the commission and the mayor’s office that’s working through all of these issues that have been underlying issues that have not been made apparent to the public that we’re now addressing.”
Johnson said he called for federal agencies to investigate to ensure proper transparency and accountability.
“This was a time and an opportunity for us to help a lot of families that were struggling as a result of COVID and a result of losing jobs and wages,” Johnson said. “For more than six million dollars not to be used in that manner is certainly a travesty, and it should never have happened.”
The city anticipates submitting an audit in early May before the June deadline, which will also include the 2025 audit to get the city back in compliance with state grants.
Fiscal responsibility and governance
Johnson said he stands on the side of the taxpayer and has delivered fiscal responsibility in his own department, returning thousands of dollars to the general fund each year.
“What we have to do is we just have to tighten our belts and find out where there’s opportunities to create more efficiencies in our departments and deliver those savings to the taxpayer.”
Johnson said he will not be a mayor that raises taxes or fails to control spending.
On governance structure, Johnson said voters in 2024 gave the mayor an equal vote. He said the current structure requires six votes to get anything done among 10 commissioners, a mayor and a city administrator.
“Someone ultimately has to be in charge to make the day-to-day decisions as it relates to this governance, and I believe that person should be a professional manager,” Johnson said.
Johnson said any charter review process should engage the voters of Augusta-Richmond County to decide their future and how to move the city forward.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Video: History of the Signer’s Monument
Interested in learning more about Georgia’s history for America’s 250th anniversary. Look no further than Greene Street and the Signer’s Monument.
George Washington slept here.
At least 17 current or former U.S. presidents have visited Augusta over its long history, beginning with the nation’s first chief executive.
Washington’s Southern Tour from March to June 1791 was punctuated by parades, speeches, and other celebrations in which residents at each stop displayed the utmost hospitality.
And Washington recorded it all – some of it, anyway – in his personal diary.
On May 18, 1791, Washington’s entourage, continuing from Savannah to Augusta, ate breakfast at an inn on the banks of McBean Creek, “15 miles from Waynesborough,” owned by Revolutionary War veteran James Fulcher.
Four miles from Augusta, Georgia’s capital at the time, Washington was greeted by a delegation of dignitaries led by Gov. Edward Telfair and George Walton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Washington “was escorted into the Town, and received under a discharge of Artillery,” he wrote. A meal and a tea followed at Telfair’s Grove plantation, “with many well dressed Ladies.”
He also wrote about “between 60 and 70 well dressed ladies” at an assembly at the Academy of Richmond County on May 19. On May 20, he was given a tour of ruined British battlements from the Patriots’ recapture of Augusta in 1781.
“The town of Augusta is well laid out with wide and spacious Streets,” Washington wrote in his May 20 diary entry. “It stands on a large area of a perfect plain but it is not yet thickly built tho’ surprisingly so for the time.”
In the decades after Washington’s visit, a rumor persisted that while he was in Augusta, the president buried one of his favorite greyhounds, supposedly named Cornwallis after the defeated British general.
“At some time during those three days, President Washington had the sad duty of burying his favorite greyhound,” longtime Augusta historian Edward Cashin wrote in his 1980 book “The Story of Augusta.”
Longtime Augusta Chronicle columnist pointed out years later that the 1892 newspaper article supposedly documenting the burial was dated April 1 – April Fool’s Day.
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