<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3Vj4ss_0vm94RsK00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3Vj4ss_0vm94RsK00" width="594" height="396" >Sleep. It seems like we never get enough of it. Even those that sleep a lot, wish they were getting more.A neurologist and sleep medicine specialist with Mattress Firm in Texas says that an inconsistent sleep schedule is making it difficult to get the amount of sleep needed.According to Dr. Chris Winter, more and more research is coming out that shows even when sleep quality is sound and sleep amounts are adequate, inconsistency of sleep timing can lead to a large range of negative health consequences.<h2>Why Aren’t We Sleeping?</h2>According to some recent studies, here are the top “worst” sleep habits:<ol><li>Going to bed at different times</li><li>Viewing screens in bed</li><li>Eating too much before bed</li><li>Falling asleep with the TV on</li><li>Pulling all nighters.</li></ol>Nearly 90% of adults and 75% of children keep at least one electronic device on in their bedrooms according to the National Sleep Foundation.While we’re on the subject of sleep, 20% of us say we “rarely or never” wake up feeling well-rested. And there’s a new survey that has identified the factors that are keeping Americans up at night. Here are the top five worries at bedtime…<ol><li>COVID-19</li><li>Gun violence in America</li><li>Climate Change</li><li>2024 Presidential election</li></ol>This year’s list was almost identical to last years, No.5 last year was the Russia-Ukraine war.<h2>Weather Updates: Helene's Impact On Augusta Area</h2>Please ensure you have access to weather updates in case you lose power. WGAC will be providing weather updates on air and online. You can stream WGAC on the website or through the WGAC app.Storm damage reports are rolling in. Many trees and power lines are down, causing destruction to homes, businesses, vehicles, and more. Power outages are also reported all over the CSRA. Crews are working to remove trees from roadways and restore power, but please remember this is a major catastrophe and may take time. Law enforcement and city officials are still asking people to stay off the roads as much as possible to clear the way for first responders and linemen. <div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FColumbiaCtyGa%2Fvideos%2F1037247054799729%2F" style="width:100%; height:100%; position:relative; border:none; overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div>WJBF has photos coming in from damage around the CSRA. You can see those here.<h2>Friday, September 27, 2024:</h2>A flash flood warning is in effect for Columbia, Richmond, Burke, and McDuffie counties until 8 a.m. Heavy rain is falling across the area between 2-5 inches, with the expected rainfall rate is between 1-3 inches in 2 hours.Some locations that will experience flash flooding include:North Augusta, Grovetown, Evans, Thomson, Waynesboro, Fort Eisenhower, Martinez, Augusta, Hephzibah, Harlem, Midville, South Augusta, Augusta Mall, Gough, McBean, Daniel Field, Village Plaza Shopping Center, Augusta Regional Airport, Glendale and Summerville.This includes the following highways:Interstate 20 in Georgia between mile markers 167 and 201.Interstate 520 in Georgia between mile markers 1 and 15.Reports of 60+ mile per hour winds, with wind gusts up to 70 miles per hour around the CSRA.Power outages are continuing to happen around the area, with some road closures being reported as well. <h2>Roads Closed Due to Flooding</h2>Columbia County currently has the following road closures in place:<ul><li>🚧 Owens Road</li><li>🚧 Appling Harlem Road @ Browns Road</li><li>🚧The Pass at Saddletree Lane</li><li>🚧 Saddletree Lane @ Butterfield Court</li><li>🚧 Reynolds Farm Road</li><li>🚧 Mill Branch Road</li></ul>Other Road Closures:<ul><li>Highway 80 between East Coursey Road and Susie Bailey Road in Burke County</li><li>Grovetown: Old Berzelia Road is blocked on the section of road closest to Newmantown Road. The Grovetown Trails at Euchee Creek are also closed.</li><li>I-20 EB at the entry ramp from W. Martintown Road. Standing water on the road. Use extreme caution</li></ul>Remember: Just a few inches of fast-moving water on the road can cause a car to lose control or stall!<ul><li>12 inches of running water can carry away a car</li><li>2 feet of running water can carry away most SUVs and trucks.</li><li>Just 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock over an adult.</li><li>Any time you come to a flooded road, Turn Around, Don’t Drown</li></ul><h2>Thursday, September 26, 2024:</h2>Hurricane Helene has been been upgraded to Category 4 as of 6:30 pm as it nears the coast of Florida with winds topping 130 mph and life-threatening storm surge of up to 20 feet.The National Hurricane Center projects Helene will be a Category 2 hurricane by the time it reaches South Georgia overnight.Emergency officials across Georgia are warning residents across the state to be on alert for heavy rainfall, falling trees, downed power lines and washed out roads.A flash flood warning is in effect for Columbia, Richmond, Burke, McDuffie, Aiken, Edgefield and McCormick Counties until 7:30 pm.As of 5:00 pm, more than 5 inches of rain had been recorded at Bush Field. An additional 3 to 6 inches of rain are possible once the main rain event arrives from Hurricane Helene after midnight.A tornado watch remains in effect for parts of Georgia and South Carolina, including the CSRA, until 9:00 tonight.<h2>Curfew Goes Into Effect in Jefferson County</h2>Jefferson County Sheriff Gary Hutchins says a curfew will go into effect at 9:00 tonight. It will last until noon on Friday, September 27. During those hours it will be unlawful for any person to travel, loiter, wander or stroll in or upon the public streets, highways, roads, lanes, parks or other public grounds, public places, public buildings, places of amusement, eating places, vacant lots or any other place within Jefferson County.See the latest closings and delays below for Aiken and Richmond Counties.WJBF has a Vipir 6 Alert Day in effect all day Thursday. Western and northern areas in the CSRA have a low threat of damaging wind gusts and the potential for isolated tornadoes. By Thursday afternoon, some western counties could see 3 to 4 inches of rain.Wind gusts up to 30 miles per hour are possible throughout the morning and increasing into the afternoon. Currently, WJBF is predicting that 12 a.m. through 4 a.m. on Friday will be the most active period of heavy rain and potentially damaging winds. Helene is expected to reach category 4 strength before it makes landfall in the Florida panhandle. The storm will remain a hurricane over much of the state of Georgia. The hurricane is currently tracking to shift more to the west, which means slightly less impact, but all counties are under a Tropical Storm Warning with the threat of flooding, damaging winds, and tornadoes.<h2>Impacts in the CSRA</h2>As of 6 a.m. Thursday, threats through 8 a.m. on Friday include:<ul><li>Flooding possible with 2-4 inches of rain, with western counties seeing between 5-8 inches of rain.</li><li>Wind gusts between 40-60 miles per hour. Western counties could see wind gusts over 60 miles per hour.</li><li>Brief spin-up tornadoes are possible, primarily in southern and southeastern counties.</li><li>Heavy rain could lead to flash flooding and river flooding Thursday night into Friday morning.</li><li>Downed trees and widespread power outages should be expected.</li></ul>A flood watch for all CSRA counties EXCEPT for Jenkins, Screven, Allendale, and Bamberg. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for all CSRA counties.<h2>Current Delays and Closings</h2>Aiken County Schools: Classes will be held Thursday but all afterschool events, including athletics, arts and other afterschool meetings have been canceled. Friday will be an E-Learning day and teachers and staff will work remotely.*Richmond County Schools: Friday will be a Learn from Home Day. As of now, all Richmond County Schools will continue their regular schedules today. All afterschool activities have been cancelled for today. Schools and offices will follow regular schedule on Thursday. Columbia County Schools: All after-school activities, including after-school care, are canceled for the day. The CCSD Career Fair has been canceled, and the Building Program Community Presentation will be rescheduled.Friday night football games will currently proceed as scheduled.*Burke County Schools: All schools and departments will be closed on Friday. Employees, including twelve-month personnel, should not report to work. The school system nutrition department will send a lunchable home with each student today. All afternoon activities for today ( Thursday) are canceled.*Lincoln County Schools: All Lincoln County Schools will be closed Friday. Schools will operate normally today, but all after-school activities have been cancelled.*McDuffie County Schools: Schools will be closed Friday. The district will continue normal operations today, but requests all parents living on the following roads within the county to contact the Department of Transportation at 706-986-4091 to meet buses at designated points: Temple, Foster Sprouse, Rock House, Fish Dam, Mason, Heaton, Goett, Carolyn Lake, Lakeview, Greenbrier, Reeves, St. Paul, Dogwood, Jones, Whitaker, Radford Gay, Chalker and Raybun. The football game scheduled for Friday has been rescheduled for Friday, October 18.*Jefferson County Schools: Jefferson County Schools will release at 1:00 today and will be closed Friday. Edgefield County Schools: All afternoon activities for Thursday canceled. Students will learn virtually on Friday.McCormick County Schools: All afternoon activities for Thursday canceled. Students will learn virtually on Friday.Fox Creek High School: Students will learn virtually on Friday.Sail Charter School: Students will learn virtually Thursday and Friday.St. Mary on the Hill Catholic School: It will be an E-Learning day Friday. All outdoor activities cancelled today.Washington County Schools: Early dismissal starting at 11:30 a.m. Schools will be closed on Friday. After school activities are canceled and students will have at-home assignments on Friday.Emanuel County Schools: Early release on Thursday, and no school on Friday.City Offices in Grovetown: Closed today and tomorrow (Thursday and Friday). Offices will re-open at their normal time on Monday.Columbia County: County offices will be closed Friday. Libraries in Evans, Grovetown and Harlem will close at 5 p.m. today and remain closed tomorrow. The will re-open for normal hours Saturday. The Motor Vehicle and Property Tax Offices will be closed on Friday.Augusta Prep: Closed Friday. The Homecoming football game scheduled for Friday night has been postponed. If field conditions are playable, the game may be moved to Saturday, September 28 at Richards Stadium.Thomson City and McDuffie County Offices: Closed FridayEdgefield County Offices: Closed Friday morning, but will open at 1:00 pm that day.Augusta University: Campus closed today at 3:00 pm with all in-person instruction and campus events cancelled. On Friday, instruction will be delivered remotely. All AU residence halls will remain open. Atrium campus dining will provide normal service today. On Friday, it will be open 10 am-2 pm and 4 pm-8:30 pm.<h2>Reported Damages And Outages</h2>Burke County: Downed trees and powerlines on Blount Chapel Road near Highway 305. Many residents are without power. A tree is down on Highway 305 before Highway 24. North College Street between 305 and Blackberry Lane at Highway 305 is closed due to storm damage.Louisville: 2nd Street is closed due to flooding.<h2>Resources</h2>During major storms, it’s important to stay alert and up-to-date. Make sure you have a way to access information even if you lose power.Weather alerts: Residents are encouraged to stay up to date on the potential threat of severe weather by signing up for the Augusta Emergency Management Agency’s severe weather and hazardous conditions alerting system. Details HERE.Listeners can also download the WGAC app to listen and find weather updates HERE.Shelter: If you’re in need of shelter due to evacuation, the American Red Cross may be able to assist. You can find open shelters on their website HERE. The Red Cross also has an emergency app.<h2>Hazards With Helene</h2>Wind: Strong winds could cause some issues including power outages. Potential for tornadoes could also occur late on Thursday.Flooding: There could be potential for flooding in some areas.Severe weather could lead to downed powerlines and trees. Use caution if you must travel during the storm.<h2>Wednesday, September 25, 2024:</h2><h2>Sign me up for the WGAC email newsletter!</h2>Become a member of the WGAC VIP club to stay up-to-date on upcoming events, contests, and more.</div></body>

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Why Aren’t We Sleeping

Sleep. It seems like we never get enough of it. Even those that sleep a lot, wish they were getting more. A neurologist and sleep medicine specialist with Mattress Firm in Texas says that an inconsistent sleep schedule is making it difficult to get the amount of sleep needed. According...