Rainfall levels vary across Augusta

Augusta's rainfall totals vary, depending on where you are.

According to forecaster Jeff Linton of the National Weather Service, the total rainfall for this month is just below 3 inches. The same total is reported by AccuWeather. Both collect data from Augusta Regional Airport.

After a weekend of severe weather across the state and heavy rain locally, county extension coordinator Sid Mullis checked his rain gauge. According to his estimate, Augusta has accumulated about 9.6 inches of rain in September.

"This just goes to show that it depends on where you're located," Mr. Mullis said. "(Bush Field) is out in an isolated area."

Mr. Mullis lives off Stevens Creek Road. He disagrees with forecasters who say that Augusta is not getting enough rain.

"We have not been in a drought," he said.

Pam Tucker, Columbia County's Emergency Management director, said rainfall totals over the weekend varied from 3.7 inches to 6 inches. The county has gauges at the Evans Government Center and water utility facilities.

"Columbia County was under a flood watch this weekend," Mrs. Tucker said. "We had a couple of places where the water was kind of high and it couldn't run off the road."

The highest recorded Augusta rainfall total for September is 11.36 inches, in 1929. The lowest is 0.06 inch, in 1919.

Though the total rainfall for the month is listed at less than 3 inches for the city according to the National Weather Service, Columbia County has recorded 8.87 inches.

"I'm not surprised at all at the difference," Mrs. Tucker said. "We've had some really good rain this year. We had downpours that they didn't get."

Reach Freda Smith at (706) 823-3228 or t.freda.smith@augustachronicle.com.