By Michael Smith
Editor

Hurricane Irma’s presence was strongly felt in the Aiken and Augusta area, with tropical storm conditions seen throughout the CSRA.

Wind gusts peaked at nearly 60 mph in multiple Augusta locations, while Aiken communities were knocking at 50 mph.

Daniel Field Airport in Augusta recorded the top wind gust in the CSRA and Midlands, with a gust of 58 mph at 3:10 p.m. Sept. 11. There was also a 55 mph gust at Augusta Bush Field, according to the National Weather Service in Columbia.

Aiken Municipal Airport clocked a 49 mph gust at 11:55 a.m., while at Barnwell Regional Airport there was a gust of 48 mph. Many other Aiken County area locations reported gusts over 40 mph.

As for rain, many communities reported four to five inches of rain, with some seeing more than six inches.

Holly Hill in Orangeburg County topped the region with 7.18 inches of rain. Near Denmark in Bamberg County, 6.85 inches fell while Barnwell saw 6.35, the weather service said.

In Aiken County, 5.75 inches fell 3 miles east-southeast of Windsor while 5.01 fell in Wagener. Nearly 5 inches fell in New Ellenton while in the heart of Aiken about 4.25 inches fell.

The combination of high winds and saturated ground caused dozens of trees to fall, causing them to crash down on homes and power lines. One tree landed on a North Augusta Public Safety officers SUV while he was in it, though the officer was unharmed, according to the NADPS.

More than 100,000 people lost power in South Carolina, including about 16,000 S.C. Electric & Gas customers. There was one death reported in Abbeville County, while another person died in a vehicle crash on I-77 in Richland County, according to the S.C. Highway Patrol.

West Five Notch Road at Pisgah Road was completely blocked and impassible during Hurricane Irma on Monday, Sept. 11, 2017. (From North Augusta Public Safety)
A tree fell on this North Augusta Public Safety vehicle during Hurricane Irma. (From North Augusta Public Safety)