Back in 2024, Hurricane Helene unleashed its fury across the Southeastern United States, leaving many without power or water. This devastating Category 4 storm made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region on September 26, 2024, with wind speeds reaching 140 mph. Now, months later, a flash flood warning was issued for Aiken and Edgefield counties due to heavy rainfall earlier this week. With 2-2.5 inches already fallen and an additional 0.5-1.5 inches anticipated, the warning was expected to affect areas including North Augusta, Evans, Augusta, and the Augusta National Golf Club, with potential flash flooding of creeks, streams in low-lying areas.

And that’s exactly what has happened. As per recent visuals from a video shared by NUCLR Golf, the course is submerged in thick mud and water. The flash flood has severely damaged Augusta National’s “Amen Corner.” While earlier reports suggested the video was from September 2024, Golf.com reported it was taken earlier this week.

The full extent of the recent flood’s impact on Augusta National remains to be seen, but if it damaged the course in any way like Hurricane Helene, Augusta National will once again need renovations. Following the September storm, four greens (Nos. 1, 8, 15, and 16) were rebuilt, either due to damage or as part of ongoing renovations. Despite recovery efforts, the region continues to feel the effects of the hurricane, and its lasting impact is still evident.

And, as per a recent news report from WRDW, the Augusta neighborhood is still dealing with damaged homes and eroded yards. The culprit here is the old, clogged storm drains that aren’t able to keep up with the water because they haven’t been repaired.

The devastation of the flash flood brings back terrible memories of the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The hurricane impacted areas far beyond the coast, causing catastrophic flooding and destruction in western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, and southwestern Virginia. Following Hurricane Helene’s passage in 2024, Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley reported that the course had sustained “a lot of damage.”

Drone footage of the nearby Augusta Country Club revealed similar destruction, including fallen trees and damaged fairways. The storm’s impact is still evident, with an estimated 1500 trees lost. And, given these incidents (and more), golf fans are just as worried about the conditions as they were last year.

Golf fans are in disbelief at Augusta National’s condition…

One golf fan wrote, “ya thats caused from man made manipulated weather modifications. totally normal. nothing to see here.” Hurricanes are naturally occurring storms, but climate change amplifies their impact. Although the frequency of hurricanes may not be increasing, their severity is rising, leading to heavier rainfall and more destructive storm surges. A 2024 study from World Weather Attribution (WWA) highlights how human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, intensify extreme weather events like tropical cyclones.

A fan tried to lighten up the mood, mentioning, “I think that’s actually from Jordan Spieth’s 2016 collapse…” In 2016, Jordan Spieth’s Masters collapse began with bogeys at 10 and 11, but the turning point came at the par-3 12th hole. His tee shot landed in Rae’s Creek, and after a dropped ball, he chunked a wedge shot into the water again, resulting in a quadruple-bogey 7. This disastrous sequence erased his five-shot lead. Jordan Spieth ultimately finished T2, three shots back, marking a historic collapse – the first player to lose a five-shot lead entering the back nine on Sunday at the Masters.

Further, two fans commented, “That’s one heck of a water hazard,” and “That’s wild.” Indeed, it is. In 1990, heavy rains and flooding in east Georgia severely damaged the Augusta National Golf Club, particularly “Amen Corner.” The No. 11 green was completely washed away when Rae’s Creek overflowed, and other damage included a bunker on No. 12, the Byron Nelson Bridge, and the members’ tee box at No. 13. 

Lastly, a fan commented under the post, “Do we know what hole this is? I’m assuming that’s Rae Creek that’s going nuts.” The video seems to be of Hogan Bridge; the stone bridge sits in front of the 12th green and 13th tee. Hopefully, the region recovers from the devastating effects sooner rather than later. What do you think?