Columbia County twister upgraded to EF1 storm
Saturday's tornado that raced through Columbia County was more powerful than initially thought.
The National Weather Service upgraded the tornado Tuesday from an EF0 to an EF1. The assessment was based on a Monday inspection of damaged trees and mobile homes along Ray Owens Road near Appling, said Pam Tucker, Columbia County's emergency services director.
Under the Enhanced Fujita scale of tornado intensity, an EF1 storm has wind speeds of 86 to 110 mph that can overturn and severely damage mobile homes. An EF0 storm's winds are of a lower velocity and typically result only in uprooted trees and broken branches.
The Columbia County tornado was among at least seven twisters that formed Saturday across east-central Georgia and South Carolina.
More rainy, but less severe, weather on way
A region still recovering from Saturday's storms and tornados could see more bad weather later today. However, weather officials said they don't expect a repeat of the weekend.
According to the National Weather Service, there's a 70 percent chance of rain by this afternoon, and a slight chance of more severe weather, said Tina Morrison, a meteorologist in Columbia.
"It won't be as serious as Saturday's (storm system), but there's a chance that there could be severe thunderstorms or even an isolated tornado," she said.
The storm system will move through the area between 3 and 10 p.m., Ms. Morrison said.
Coliseum committee to seek management
An Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority search committee voted Tuesday to seek a management company to manage James Brown Arena and Bell Auditorium.
The committee agreed a management company could bring in more and better shows.
New Facilities Manager Julie Huggins is to start work today at the direction of Chairman Harry Moore. However, Janice Jenkins, the Personnel Committee chairwoman, said Ms. Huggins would be fired if she shows up because of questions raised over her application by board members.
Commission approval allows dogs at parks
Augusta commissioners amended a county ordinance Tuesday that will allow dogs at city parks. The approval will open the Botanical Gardens at the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame property to dogs and their owners on Sundays from 1 until 4 p.m., starting April 6.
Also Tuesday, commissioners voted to keep Club Platinum, at 1505 North Leg Road, on 90 days' probation, add four deputies in the parking lot and close by 11:30 p.m.
Commissioners also approved the appointment of Charles Smith and S. Renee D'Antignac to the Board of Tax Assessors; John Butler to the Housing Citizens Advisory Board; Anthony Franklin to the Small Business Citizens Advisory Board; Jacinda Z. Norvell to the Augusta Aviation Commission; and F. Marion Durst IV to the Richmond County Board of Health.
Federal agents tally drugs at pharmacy
Prescription drugs were being logged at a local pharmacy after it closed Tuesday, according to Richmond County Sheriff's Investigator Robin Ashmore.
Brynwood Pharmacy, 3547 Walton Way, closed Tuesday afternoon.
Federal Drug Enforcement Agency investigators were on hand to handle the narcotics, Investigator Ashmore said, and so were Richmond County Sheriff's deputies.
Alternative school to hold informative event
Bungalow Road Alternative School, 2216 Bungalow Road, will hold a special program for parents at 6 p.m. Monday.
Failure Is Not an Option will introduce the school's new principals, explain the tribunal process and discuss the evening school and Project Next Steps.
There will also be information on the new graduation requirements, Saturday school, Street Law 101 and the Ounce of Prevention Services Program.
Area traffic report
- The threat of bad weather forced the postponement of a road closure until Thursday. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Park West Drive between Jimmie Dyess Parkway and Wrightsboro Road will be closed while work crews replace a sewer manhole near the intersection of Park West and CDP Industrial Boulevard, according to a Columbia County news release. Motorists should use an alternate route.
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