Tropical Storm — Richmond, Georgia

2024-09-27 · Richmond, Georgia

Event narrative

Significant widespread tree and power line damage throughout the county resulting in widespread, extended power outages. Falling trees and wind caused substantial structural damage across the county. At least 1386 homes sustained some level of damage including 63 destroyed and 426 with major damage. Max winds at Augusta Bush Field were 45 knots sustained (52 mph) with a max gust of 71 knots (82 mph) before the site stopped reporting entirely. NWS storm survey estimated that maximum wind gusts were between 80 to 100+ mph. Six direct fatalities occurred due to trees falling on homes with another fatality due to a vehicle striking a downed tree in the roadway. Minimum mean sea level pressure recorded at Augusta Bush Field was 976.3mb. Areas of flooding were also observed with 2 day rainfall totals exceeding 10 inches in the northern-most portions of the county based on CoCoRaHS gages (maximum was 13.07 inches).

Wider weather episode

Tropical Storm Helene formed in the NW Caribbean Sea on September 24. Helene moved northward into the Gulf of Mexico where it strengthened into a hurricane on September 25. Helene made landfall as a major hurricane in the Big Bend area of Florida the night of September 26 before quickly moving inland into east central Georgia by early morning on September 27. Helene weakened to a strong tropical storm and produced widespread significant wind damage, including wind gusts above 100 mph across east central Georgia and central South Carolina as well as numerous tornadoes. Numerous fatalities and injuries were reported associated with the passage of Helene.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1207972. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.