News Summary
A severe storm impacted the Central Savannah River Area over the weekend, resulting in damage and one fatality. A man died when a tree fell on his car. Significant power outages affected thousands, and community organizations took steps to support local students preparing for school.
Augusta, Georgia
A severe storm swept through the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) on Saturday night, causing significant damage and resulting in one fatality in Banks County, Georgia. The storm, which featured heavy rain, strong winds, and thunder, prompted a First Alert from local meteorologists as it moved across the region.
Jason Keith Payne, a 56-year-old man, died when a tree fell on his car while he was driving on Georgia Highway 51. This tragic incident underscores the storm’s severity, leading to substantial disruptions in the area.
Much of the damage from the storm was concentrated in Aiken County, where several roads were blocked by fallen trees, particularly in the Rapids neighborhood of North Augusta. In addition, a shed was reported to have blown onto a road in the same area, further complicating travel and safety assessments.
Power outages were widespread, affecting approximately 4,000 Dominion Energy customers at peak levels in Aiken County, while around 2,000 Georgia Power customers in Augusta were left without service due to the storm’s impacts. Employees at the Waffle House in North Augusta waited outside for restoration of power, indicating the extent of disruption to local businesses as well.
The National Weather Service issued a hazardous weather outlook for much of northern Georgia and parts of the CSRA due to ongoing weather risks. Forecasts for Sunday indicate the possibility of further rain and thunderstorms in the Augusta area, with wind gusts potentially reaching 30 mph. The risk for severe storms remains slight for the CSRA through Sunday and Monday, particularly with concerns regarding damaging winds and large hail.
Community Back-to-School Initiatives
Amid the storm’s aftermath, the SRP Federal Credit Union took proactive steps to support local students as they return for the 2025-2026 school year. The organization distributed thousands of school supplies and provided valuable financial information to students in the area.
SRP team members, including Michael Clennett and Heather Hirschman, were actively involved in promoting their Affinity Debit Card Program at the Midland Valley Christian Academy. This program allows members to contribute to local schools with each purchase. Since 2018, SRP has donated over $2 million to 45 high schools and the Augusta Technical College Foundation.
Additionally, SRP organized nearly 100 volunteer hours at various back-to-school events across a 10-county service area in Georgia and South Carolina, underlining their commitment to community support. Their efforts also included supporting the United Way of the CSRA’s Stuff the Bus collection drive, which aids students in Richmond, Columbia, and Burke counties.
Conclusion
The devastating storm has left many in the CSRA distressed, prompting local organizations to rally support for those affected while assisting students in preparing for the school year ahead. As communities start to assess the damage and recover from this weather event, continued vigilance remains essential as the forecast predicts ongoing weather challenges in the region.
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Additional Resources
- WRDW: Deadly Storm Leaves Path of Damage Through CSRA
- WFXG: Showers and Storms Continue
- Augusta Chronicle: Forecasters Call for Rain
- AccuWeather: Masters Forecast Augusta Weather
- NewsLeader: Flood Watch Issued
- Wikipedia: Severe Weather
- Google Search: Augusta Georgia Weather
- Google Scholar: Weather Impacts CSRA
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Severe Weather
- Google News: Augusta Storm News
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.
