Icy Roads Should Be Clear Later Today In The CSRA
Updates for Thursday, January 23:
Icy roads should be clear later today now that the sun is out and temperatures are on the rise, but for now, area officials say be careful if you’re out on the roads.
Area school systems were either closed or students are learning remotely today due to the potential for icy conditions this morning.
For the most part, businesses that were closed are re-opening and city and county offices in the area will be open today as well.
- Aiken government offices opened at 10 am
- VA Augusta Health Care System returns to regular services at 12 pm
- Eisenhower Army Medical Center resumes regular outpatient services at 11 am
- Augusta city offices open at 12 pm
- Augusta Transit operates today from 12 pm to 8:30 pm
- Trash collection in Augusta will be delayed today.
Icy Roads Should Be Gone Today, But Many Problem Areas Are Still Reported in Burke County
Major Ice or large Patches:
- Thompson Bridge Road: large ice patches
- River Road: Large patches near SR 56 and the curve
- Bates Road: Large patch at the Thompson Bridge Road intersection
- Clarks Place Road: Large patch near the S-curve
- 245: Large patches near Smoketown Circle and Alexander Munnerlyn
- Poole-Melton & Mark Walden Intersection: Iced over
- Old Waynesboro Road: Large patches near the SR 56 intersection and Gordon Hill Church
- Winter Road: Ice near US 25 intersection large patches between Hopeful Baptist and Springhill Church
- Hancock Landing: Mostly iced over
- Ben Hatcher Road: Mostly iced over
- Gresham Road: Ice on the two bill hills and the 500 block
- Murray Hill Road: Ice on Brier Creek brdige
- Porter Carswell Road: Ice in the 300 block
- Herndon Road: Ice in the 1000 block
- 80 West: Ice buildup from Tarver to Abraham
- Johnson Road: Large ice buildup
- Rosier Road: Ice in the 3800 block
- 305: Ice patch near Jefferson County line
- Quaker Road: Ice buildup at Gough-Redhill intersection
Georgia Department of Transportation crews continue to work on state routes. Most areas of I-20 and Bobby Jones Expressway are clear.
Schools Announce Instruction Plans for Friday
Edgefield County
- District returning to normal instructional in-person day Friday, January 24
Conditions Wednesday, January 22:
Slick and hazardous road conditions, especially bridges and overpasses, are a major concern, throughout the CSRA with lingering snow and the potential for black ice.
The Augusta Fire/EMA is asking the public to stay off the roads due to hazardous driving conditions and icy roadways.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has released a list of roads throughout the county that are either closed, impassable or have extremely dangerous due to icy conditions
South Richmond County:
- Peach Orchard Road (Phinizy to Tobacco Road)–both directions closed due to ice
- Deans Bridge Road at Meadowbrook Drive–closed
- Deans bridge Road Southbound at Hilson Road–closed
- Barton Chapel Road at Old McDuffie Road–detours required due to icy conditions. Roads and Bridges notified to install detour signs
- Windsor Spring Road at Richmond Hill Road Northbound–icy conditions reported
- Tobacco Road (Peach Orchard to Mike Padgett–closed due to ice on roadway
North Richmond County:
- Walton Way Extension/Crane Ferry Road–ice on roadway; impassable
- Wrightsboro Road/Hickman Road–requires salting
- John C. Calhoun Expy/Washington Road–impassable
- Wrightsboro Road (Summerville to downtown)–requires salting
- 800 Stevens Creek Road–ice on roadway
- Belair Road/Wrightsboro Road–ice uphill; vehicles unable to ascend
- Highland Avenue/Hazel Street–ice on roadway
- Boy Scout Road at Lafayette Drive–ice conditions
- Washington Road/Beverly Heights Drive–ice on roadway
Update—Augusta Regional Airport has released the following statement as of 12:00 pm Wednesday:
“Out of an abundance of caution, due to issues related to the local weather impacts, roadway conditions, employee safety, passenger safety, etc., the Airport will suspend operations today at 6:30 pm. AGS plans to resume normal operations Thursday morning. As always, please check with your airline for the latest flight information.”
Warming centers are available for those who may need it. Information is below. May Park Warming Center will be open for those in need, operating 24 hours until Thursday.
School Closings, Delays for Thursday
Columbia County
- Due to the impact of inclement weather in our area, the Columbia County School District will be closed on Thursday, January 23, and all after-school events and activities are cancelled.
All school district operations will resume on Friday, January 24.
Richmond County
- The Richmond County School System will continue to operate on a PowerUp Asynchronous Learning Day schedule on Thursday, January 23, due to ongoing hazardous road conditions and freezing temperatures expected to persist through early morning tomorrow. All extracurricular activities are canceled.
RCSS is closely monitoring weather conditions for Friday and will provide updates by Thursday evening.
Aiken County
- Aiken County Public Schools will continue in an e-learning format tomorrow, Thursday, January 23. With travel concerns for students and families, as well as teachers and staff, tomorrow will also be a remote workday for employees. Just like today, teachers will be available for student questions and support with e-learning assignments. An update on our district’s operations for Friday, January 24, will be announced no later than 4:00 pm tomorrow.
McDuffie County
- In the interest of keeping our students, staff, and community safe, the district will enact a “Learn from Home Day” for Thursday, January 23. Students should continue working on their previous assignments.
Please not the public hearing on HB581 scheduled for 9:00 am on Thursday will be rescheduled.
Burke County
- Due to worsening icy conditions expected this afternoon and tonight, creating hazardous road conditions throughout Burke County, all schools and departments will remain closed through Thursday, January 23. Employees, including twelve-month personnel, should not report to work.
Lincoln County
- Due to the impact of inclement winter weather in our area, the Lincoln County School District will operate on a Learn From Home Day Thursday, January 23
Augusta University
- Due to the potential for remaining ice on roadways, and out of an abundance of caution, in-person classes will now be remote on Thursday, January 23, and in-person activities will be cancelled.
Residence hall students will receive additional details regarding transportation and dining from Housing and Residence Life. Atrium Dining will be open for brunch at 10:30 a.m.
USC Aiken
- All in-person classes and activities scheduled for Thursday have been postponed. Employees should plan to work remotely. All essential operations, including student and residential services will remain open but operate on a modified schedule.
- An update regarding Friday, January 24, operations will be announced around 4:00 pm Thursday.
School Closings, Delays for Wednesday
McDuffie County
- Learn From Home on Wednesday. Students received assignments and instructions on Friday and prior to leaving school today.
Columbia County Schools
- The Columbia County School District will be closed on Wednesday. All after-school activities are also cancelled.
Aiken County Schools
- All Aiken County Public Schools will transition to e-learning and a remote workday Wednesday. A decision on operations for Thursday will be announced by 4 pm Wednesday.
Richmond County Schools
The Richmond County School System (RCSS) will continue with a PowerUp Asynchronous Learning Day schedule on Wednesday, Jan. 22, due to forecasted inclement weather. This decision follows continued monitoring of updates from the National Weather Service and collaboration with emergency management officials.
All extracurricular activities scheduled for Wednesday are canceled. Teachers will continue to provide assignments through Canvas for older students or SeeSaw for younger students, and communication with families will take place via Remind or Class Dojo.
Richmond County Schools are closely monitoring weather conditions for Thursday and will provide updates by Wednesday evening.
Additional updates will be shared through the district’s inclement weather landing page at www.rcboe.org/weatherupdates, the Infinite Campus Parent Portal, social media channels, and local news outlets.
Burke County Schools
- Wednesday, January 22, will be learn-from-home day. All employees, including 12-month personmel, should not report to work.
Meals will be sent home with each student Tuesday. All after-school activities are cancelled.
The School Board meeting scheduled for 5 pm Tuesday will now be held at 2 pm.
Lincoln County Schools
- Lincoln County Schools will have an eLearning day Wednesday
Edgefield County Schools
- Edgefield County Schools will have an eLearning day Wednesday, with the possibility of an additional eLearning day on Thursday. A decision about Thursday’s instruction will be made by 12 pm Wednesday.
Area Colleges and Universities
- Augusta University: In-person classes for Wednesday will be remote. In-person activities for the day will be cancelled.
- Augusta University employees are encouraged to work remotely.
- USC Aiken: Normal business hours and class schedules on Tuesday. All in-person activities scheduled for the USCA campus after 5 pm Tuesday have been postponed.
- Augusta Technical College: All campuses closed on Tuesday
Other Closings And Cancellations
- The Augusta VA Health Care System has closed its outpatient operations at all its sites for the remainder of the day today (Wednesday). VA Augusta will continue to provide urgent, walk-in, and emergency care at is Augusta sites.
- Several flights have been cancelled at Augusta Regional Airport as well as Hartsfield Jackson International Airport in Atlanta. Check with your airline if you have a flight scheduled for today.
- Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Administration building is closing to the public today at 1:00 pm
- St. Teresa’s Campus will close at 1:00 pm today. All events are cancelled.
- City of Augusta government offices are closing at 1:00 pm today. Today’s Augusta Commission meeting scheduled for 2:00 pm will be held Thursday at 12:30.
- All Augusta Transit bus services have been suspended until further notice.
- Report hazardous conditions such as icy roads, fallen branches or other weather-related concerns to Augusta 311.
- Daytime warming centers are available to those who need shelter during the day at the Carrie Mays Center on 11th Avenue; Bernie Ward Center on Lumpkin Road; Blythe Center on Highway 88; Henry Brigham Center on Golden Camp Road; May Park on 4th Street; McBean Center on Hephzibah/McBean Road; Sand Hills Center on Wheeler Road; W.T. Johnson Center on Hunter Street; Warren Road Center on Warren Road; and Diamond Lakes Regional Park on Windsor Spring Road.
- Overnight warming shelters are available at the Augusta Rescue Mission at 526 Walker Street; Garden City Rescue Mission at 828 Fenwick Street; and the Salvation Army Center of Hope at 1384 Greene Street. May Park will operate as a warming shelter until Thursday. Check-in hours are 5 pm-9 pm.
- Columbia County offices will stay closed on Wednesday.
- Aiken Senior Life Services are closed: dining facilities, Best Friends Express public transport, and other transportation services.
- Augusta Animal Services–closed.
- Aiken city and county offices–closed.
- Augusta trash collection–pickup delayed by one day
