CSRA region, September 26, 2025

News Summary

Severe storms have impacted the CSRA region, resulting in damage, power outages, and one confirmed fatality in Banks County, Georgia. The National Weather Service issued severe thunderstorm alerts for multiple counties. An EF1 tornado was additionally reported in Aiken County. Rainfall was significant, and local authorities are managing the aftermath of the storms while assessing the drought conditions in the area.

Augusta

Severe storms have hit the CSRA region, resulting in damage, power outages, and at least one fatality. A severe thunderstorm alert was issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) for Edgefield, Saluda, Lexington, and Aiken counties, as strong thunderstorms were predicted to develop. Areas affected by this alert included Batesburg-Leesville, Ridge Spring, and Gilbert, among others along Interstate 20. The storms brought potential for gusty winds of up to 50 mph and pea-sized hail.

In addition to the alerts, a tornado warning was also issued for parts of Richmond and Aiken counties with conditions indicating that a tornado could form, remaining in effect until 6:45 a.m. Following the severe weather, an EF1 tornado was confirmed in Aiken County, SC, with peak winds reaching 90 mph. The storms have contributed to several local issues, with Columbia Metropolitan Airport recording 2.86 inches of rain on Monday alone and areas across South Carolina receiving between 2 to 10 inches of rain over three days.

One storm reported on Saturday night in Augusta resulted in a fatality when a tree fell on a vehicle in Banks County, Georgia. The severe weather caused widespread outages, affecting approximately 4,000 Dominion Energy customers and 2,000 Georgia Power customers.

The temperature for the day was expected to reach a high of 91°F, with scattered clouds and a chance of isolated thunderstorms developing in the afternoon. Winds were reported from the WSW at 10 to 15 mph. The overnight low is projected to be around 70°F, with winds shifting to the SW at 5 to 10 mph.

Impacts of Severe Weather

Reports indicate that over 87% of South Carolina is currently experiencing some level of drought, and officials anticipate that the recent rain will significantly alleviate these conditions. The average annual occurrence of lightning strikes in the U.S. hits approximately 25 million, accounting yearly for around 20 fatalities.

Background on Severe Weather Alerts

The National Weather Service issues alerts to warn communities of impending severe weather that could be harmful. Thunderstorms typically produce conditions that lead to dangerous winds, heavy rainfall, and the risk of flooding and tornadoes. Hydroplaning, a risk during such storms, can occur when water accumulates faster than a vehicle can displace, leading to loss of traction and control.

In addition to the severe weather alerts, the Aiken Standard’s annual Aiken’s Choice Awards Banquet was held on September 23, where over 200 guests attended. The event saw more than 11,000 votes cast by readers to select the award winners, though no direct connection exists between the event and the severe weather.

Emergency Declarations

In response to the severe weather impacts, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency, enabling the state to better respond and allocate resources to affected areas.

Summary of Key Features

FAQ

{
“@context”: “https://schema.org”,
“@type”: “FAQPage”,
“mainEntity”: [
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What areas were issued severe thunderstorm alerts?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The alert was issued for Edgefield, Saluda, Lexington, and Aiken counties.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What was the cause of the fatality reported during the severe storm?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “A tree fell on a vehicle in Banks County, GA, resulting in one fatality.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How many people were affected by power outages due to the storm?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “About 4,000 Dominion Energy customers and 2,000 Georgia Power customers were affected.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What peak wind speed was recorded with the EF1 tornado in Aiken County?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The EF1 tornado had peak winds of 90 mph.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How much rainfall did the Columbia Metropolitan Airport record on Monday?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “It recorded 2.86 inches of rain on Monday.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How is the recent rain expected to affect drought conditions in South Carolina?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Recent rain is expected to significantly improve the drought conditions affecting over 87% of South Carolina.”
}
}
]
}

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Aiken County Farmers Market Thrives Amid Local Support
EF1 Tornado Strikes Langley, S.C.
Aiken Community Events Scheduled for Fall
Severe Storms Cause Fatalities and Damage Across the CSRA
EF1 Tornado Strikes Langley, South Carolina
USC Aiken Golf Coach Inducted into South Carolina Golf Hall of Fame
Aiken Hosts 23rd Annual Touch-A-Truck Event
Tragic Storm Sweeps Through CSRA Region, One Fatality Reported
Overturned Tanker Causes I-20 Eastbound Closure in Aiken
South Carolina Enforces New Hands-Free Driving Law

Additional Resources

• Herald Online
• Wikipedia: Severe Weather
• WRDW
• Google Search: Severe Thunderstorms
• Augusta Chronicle
• Google Scholar: Severe Weather Warnings
• WFXG
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Thunderstorm
• Fox Weather
• Google News: Weather Alerts

Author: STAFF HERE AIKEN

The AIKEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAiken.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Aiken, Aiken County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Aiken Horse Show, Aiken Bluegrass Festival, and polo matches at Whitney Field. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Aiken Chamber of Commerce and the Aiken County Historical Museum, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and tourism that power the local economy such as Bridgestone and the Aiken County Visitors Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.