News Summary
Augusta, Georgia is currently experiencing severe thunderstorms and tornado warnings as alerted by the National Weather Service. Residents face high winds and hazardous weather conditions, with expected gusts up to 50 mph. Major areas at risk include Aiken and North Augusta, with significant impacts on local transportation. Despite multiple tornado warnings, no confirmed tornadoes have been reported. The storm has caused power outages for thousands, prompting a state of emergency declaration by Governor Brian Kemp to effectively respond to the situation.
Augusta, Georgia, Braces for Severe Thunderstorms and Tornado Warnings
Severe thunderstorms and tornado warnings have hit Augusta, Georgia, as the National Weather Service (NWS) issues updates warning residents of potential high winds and hazardous weather. An alert for strong thunderstorms is currently in effect until 10:45 p.m. on May 12, 2025, with wind gusts predicted to reach up to 50 mph in affected areas including Edgefield and Aiken counties.
At 10:06 p.m., Doppler radar detected a strong thunderstorm near Augusta Regional Airport, moving northeast at 35 mph. These severe thunderstorms have already resulted in reports of gusty winds capable of knocking down tree limbs and blowing around unsecured objects. Major locations under threat include Aiken, North Augusta, and several shopping centers like Aiken Mall and Augusta Mall, as well as Fort Eisenhower and Midtown.
Impact on Transportation
Transportation has been affected, with significant highways in both Georgia and South Carolina facing dangerous conditions, particularly:
- Interstate 20 in Georgia between mile markers 195 and 201
- Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 0 and 14
- Interstate 520 in Georgia between mile markers 1 and 15
- Interstate 520 in South Carolina between mile markers 16 and 23
State officials urge residents to avoid unnecessary travel during this time and to seek shelter indoors if caught outside.
Severe Weather Developments
The NWS has had to issue multiple tornado warnings across the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) early in the morning, with reported thunderstorms leading to heavy thunder and lightning. A tornado warning remained in effect until 6:45 a.m. for parts of Richmond and Aiken counties. Conditions for tornado formation were deemed favorable until 10 a.m., keeping a tornado watch in place for Augusta and its surrounding counties.
A severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was today located over Augusta Regional Airport at 6:15 a.m., moving northeast at an accelerated rate of 45 mph. Residents were advised to take cover if they were outdoors, in mobile homes, or vehicles as the threat increased.
Power Outages and Emergency Response
As the storm system moved through, approximately 38,000 customers in Georgia experienced power outages. This number has significantly decreased from 88,000 earlier in the day, according to Georgia Power. However, Governor Brian Kemp recognized the severity of the storms and declared a state of emergency for Georgia, allowing the state to deploy emergency resources effectively.
The state of emergency also includes measures to prevent price gouging and suspend hours-of-service limits for commercial drivers responding to the emergency.
Storm Aftermath
Despite multiple tornado warnings throughout the morning, no confirmed tornadoes were reported in the CSRA region. Minor damage included reports of a tree down across a road northeast of Sardis. Rainfall totals contributed to considerable wet conditions, with an inch reported in Augusta and two inches in Millen following the storms.
As the storm system gradually moved out, conditions improved as the afternoon brought mostly dry weather across the area. The community is encouraged to remain vigilant and report any damage as storm recovery efforts continue.
Lightning strikes the United States about 25 million times annually, causing approximately 20 fatalities each year, with thunderstorms often increasing the risk of such strikes. Residents are advised to stay informed about the weather and exercise caution in adverse conditions.
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