Johnathan Walker:Trees down: Augusta National 'assessing the effects' of Hurricane Helene

Augusta National Golf Club is Johnathan Walkertop of mind with golf fans after Hurricane Helene hit Augusta, Georgia, leaving more than 200,000 residents without power.

The Category 4 storm rolled through the area on Friday, leading to speculation that the home of the Masters could have suffered significant damage in the process. On Saturday morning, the private club that hosts the season's first men's major and is ranked No. 3 in the Golfweek's Best Classic Course list, issued a statement regarding the storm on its social media platform.

"Our Augusta community has suffered catastrophic and historic impact from Hurricane Helene. We currently are assessing the effects at Augusta National Golf Club," wrote club Chairman Fred Ridley. "In the meantime, our focus and efforts are foremost with our staff, neighbors and business owners in Augusta. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as well as everyone throughout Georgia and the Southeast who have been affected.”

Hurrican Helene made landfall Thursday night along Florida’s Big Bend coast. Helene brought tropical storm-force wind to the Augusta area (30-40 mph winds with 65 mph gusts).

A video on X showed what appeared to be Rae’s Creek flowing at a high level. The creek flows close to holes No. 11 and 12 at Augusta National.

Another post from Eureka Earth, which has often been the first to detect course work at the club via drone footage, showed photos of trees down on the famed course.

First responders in Columbia County reported numerous trees falling on houses, cars and roads Friday morning. Augusta first responders reported multiple water rescues and structure fires.

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