The shock wave of the explosions sent European share prices sharply lower and panic buying caused oil and gold prices to soar in response to the apparent terrorist attacks Tuesday in New York and Washington.

In Augusta, financial services professionals were paralyzed - and not just because there was no stock activity.

''We have been attacked on our home turf,'' said Will Rogers, the senior financial adviser with American Express Financial Advisers in Augusta. ''We're at war. We've been attacked. Dress it up how you want, but we've been attacked. I don't know a clearer definition of war than that.''

Brokers throughout the area were glued to their TVs and radios.

''We've put everything on hold,'' said Chris Wyrick, a broker with Prudential Securities in Augusta. ''There's nothing to do but pray for the families of the victims. It's only appropriate for trading to be halted. You want to try to prevent panic from entering the market, and in a situation such as this, people panic.''

Jeff Humphreys, the chief economist for the Selig Center for Economic Growth at the University of Georgia, said he doesn't expect any adverse effects from the market closure. In fact, it would be strange if the markets didn't close, he said.

''I don't think closing the market will have much effect,'' he said. ''It's difficult to predict the overall effect on consumer confidence. Often the nation rallies around something like this. The market could rise rather than fall. But closing it for the day will have no impact whatsoever on the course of the economy.''

Wienges Sanders, an investment adviser for New Windsor Capital Management in Augusta, said he and his staff are calling clients and advising them about best- and worst-case scenarios.

''The first thing out of their mouths is, 'What's going to happen to me?,''' Mr. Sanders said. ''They see everything kind of up and disappearing. But the markets are closed for the day so nothing will happen right away. Still, it's very unnerving.''

Many expect market prices to fall when trading resumes, but financial advisers are urging investors to be cautious about diverting money from stocks.

Reach John Bankston at (706) 823-3352 or john.banks@augustachronicle.com.