Augusta gasses up generators, stages barricades ahead of Tropical Storm Idalia

Alexandra Koch, Augusta Chronicle
·2 min read
FILE - Two men take a boat into the Laney-Walker neighborhood during the 1990 flood, which was caused by heavy rain inundating the city's inadequate stormwater runoff systems.
FILE - Two men take a boat into the Laney-Walker neighborhood during the 1990 flood, which was caused by heavy rain inundating the city's inadequate stormwater runoff systems.

The City of Augusta is preparing for flooding and power outages as a result of Tropical Storm Idalia, which is anticipated to arrive in Augusta on Wednesday.

While most of the preparation occurs within the engineering maintenance division, John Ussery, assistant director of the City of Augusta Traffic Engineering Division, said the traffic engineering division also preps for flooding and traffic signal outages, working alongside the Emergency Management Agency.

The National Weather Service reported Monday a hazardous weather outlook is in effect for Richmond, Columbia, Aiken and Burke counties. The greatest potential is for flooding Wednesday and Thursday, according to the latest predictions.

Ussery said there are a number of Augusta roads prone to flooding, so the traffic engineering division stages cones, barricades and barrels in case roads need to be closed due to flooding.

Weather update: Augusta weather update: NWS hazardous weather outlook in effect as Idalia approaches

Areas in Augusta identified by the city as being prone to flooding include:

  • Sand Bar Ferry Road, between Gordon Highway and Bobby Jones Expressway

  • Lanie Walker Boulevard, between Bobby Jones Expressway and Gordon Highway

  • R.A. Dent Boulevard, near Piedmont Augusta

The division also preps several backup generators used to temporarily power traffic signals that go out at the intersections of major roadways.

"One that seems to go out all the time for some reason in a storm is the light at Riverwatch Parkway and Alexander Drive, near Cabela's and Costco," Ussery said.

He said the city cannot restore power to the traffic lights, as that falls on Georgia Power, but the city will hook up generators, which can run power to traffic signals for days.

"When it's really windy, traffic lights can also be damaged or fall," Ussery said. "We have the supplies and materials ready to go in our warehouse in case we need to go out and replace them."

The National Hurricane Center reported Idalia's maximum sustained winds increased to 65 mph and it is expected to strengthen into a hurricane, according to previous reporting.

Ussery said the city's Traffic Management Center will monitor outages and send technicians where needed – noting smaller intersections may turn into four-way stops as the city prioritizes larger intersections.

"We have all hands on deck so to speak," he said.

City officials have yet to announce storm shelter locations as of Monday afternoon.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta stages generators, barricades ahead of Tropical Storm Idalia