News Summary
A severe storm struck the Central Savannah River Area, resulting in one fatality and extensive damage. The storm, characterized by heavy rain and strong winds, prompted emergency alerts and left thousands without power. Aiken County reported significant road blockages and debris while officials warn of potential continued severe weather. Governor Brian Kemp expressed condolences to the victim’s family, highlighting the ongoing recovery efforts in the region.
Augusta, Georgia – A deadly storm struck the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) on Saturday night, June 9, 2025, causing one fatality and significant damage across the region. The storm brought heavy rain, thunder, and gusty winds, prompting meteorologists to issue a FIRST ALERT for potential severe weather prior to the event.
The sole victim of the storm was identified as Jason Keith Payne, 56, from Banks County, Georgia. He was pronounced dead at the scene after a tree fell on his car while he was driving east on Georgia Highway 51.
Aiken County was one of the hardest-hit areas, with fallen trees blocking multiple roads, particularly in the Rapids neighborhood off River Bluff Drive in North Augusta. Additional debris, including a portion of a shed, was reported blown into nearby roads. Power outages affected approximately 4,000 Dominion Energy customers in Aiken County, while around 2,000 Georgia Power customers in Augusta also experienced outages at some point. Extensive outages were reported in areas along Martintown Road to Georgia Avenue in North Augusta, exacerbating the storm’s impact on local residents.
In the aftermath of the storm, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp expressed condolences on social media, urging prayers for the family of the victim and acknowledging the efforts of first responders dealing with the storm’s impact.
The Storm Prediction Center has indicated that the CSRA, including Augusta and Aiken, remains under a slight risk (2 out of 5) for severe storms through Sunday and Monday. Potential threats in the following days include damaging winds and large hail, leading to the continuation of a FIRST ALERT for possible severe weather conditions.
Local authorities are advising residents to prepare for severe weather as the hurricane season begins. The storm that struck on Saturday is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of severe weather during this time of year.
For those in the region, live weather updates can be tracked through local weather apps and channels. Citizens are encouraged to stay informed with warnings and updates on severe weather watches as the situation may evolve in the coming days.
As the recovery and clean-up efforts begin, local officials are also assessing the extent of the damage and reliability of power restorations to facilitate the return to normalcy after this devastating storm.
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Additional Resources
- WRDW: Deadly Storm Leaves Path of Damage Through CSRA
- Wikipedia: Severe Weather
- WRDW: Storm Causes Some Damage It Blows Through CSRA
- Google Search: Severe Weather CSRA
- AccuWeather: Masters Forecast Augusta Weather
- Google Scholar: Augusta Georgia Weather Forecast
- Augusta Chronicle: Rain Augusta GA Weather Forecast 2025 Masters
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Storms in Georgia
- ESPN: Masters Practice Suspended Due to Rain Threat
- Google News: Augusta Masters Weather
Author: STAFF HERE AUGUSTA WRITER
AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER The AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAugusta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Augusta, Richmond 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 Arts in the Heart Festival, Westobou Festival, and Masters Week. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Greater Augusta Arts Council, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Textron Specialized Vehicles, Cardinal Health, and Nutrien. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
