News Summary
Charleston, SC, faced severe weather conditions on Friday as the National Weather Service issued alerts for strong thunderstorms affecting multiple counties. The storms brought penny-sized hail, gusty winds, and potential flash flooding hazards, prompting officials to remind residents to stay informed and take necessary precautions. The risk of lightning strikes increased significantly, posing dangers to those outdoors. As thunderstorms moved through, severe weather warnings continued throughout the evening, urging residents to seek shelter and avoid hazardous road conditions.
Charleston, SC experienced severe weather warnings on Friday, with the National Weather Service (NWS) issuing alerts for strong thunderstorms from late afternoon until early evening. The warnings targeted Inland Jasper, Coastal Jasper, and Beaufort County, advising residents to take precautions against potential hazards.
At 3:44 p.m., the NWS noted that a severe thunderstorm was moving through Calawassie Island at a speed of 10 mph, accompanied by penny-sized hail measuring 0.75 inches. The gusty winds associated with the storm were capable of knocking down tree limbs and causing minor damages to unsecured outdoor objects. The storm affected numerous areas, including Beaufort, Port Royal, Clarendon, Jasper, and Burton.
Residents were urged to stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards and local news sources for updates, with the warning in effect until 4:30 p.m. The NWS advises that around 25 million lightning strikes occur in the U.S. annually, especially during summer storms, causing an average of 20 fatalities each year. The risk of lightning strikes significantly increases as a thunderstorm approaches, posing a serious threat to those outdoors.
As the day progressed, another severe thunderstorm warning was issued at 8:01 p.m. for Berkeley and Charleston counties, effective until 8:45 p.m. This warning indicated that storms were located along a line from Sullivan’s Island to eight miles south of Kiawah Island, moving southeast at 25 mph. Residents in North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, and surrounding regions were warned to prepare for wind gusts up to 60 mph, which could lead to considerable damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
Highways affected included I-26 and I-526, potentially resulting in hazardous driving conditions. Residents were encouraged to seek shelter in well-built structures and to refrain from approaching windows during the storm. Persistent cloud-to-ground lightning remained a primary concern as well.
The heavy rainfall associated with these storms raised alarms about possible flash flooding. The NWS underscored the dangers of hydroplaning, which can occur when a vehicle slides on water-logged roads, leading to uncontrollable slides. Hydroplaning happens when the water buildup in front of tires exceeds the vehicle’s capacity to displace it, creating a layer of water separating the tires from the road surface.
By 10:29 p.m., the NWS confirmed a severe thunderstorm near Hendersonville, which had the potential to produce golf-ball-sized hail. Warnings were also issued for individuals outside, indicating the risk of injury to people and pets, and the possible destruction of roofs, windows, and vehicles. Considerable tree damage and destruction of mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings were also anticipated.
As of 11:23 p.m., the storms had weakened below warning thresholds; however, significant power outages were reported in Berkeley County, affecting about 356 customers of the Berkeley Electric Cooperative and 289 Dominion Energy customers. NWS officials maintained a severe thunderstorm watch for several counties, including Charleston, Berkeley, and Georgetown, extending until midnight.
This weather alert comes on the heels of a prior heat advisory in Charleston that had expired after two days of extreme heat, where heat index values approached 103 to 108 degrees. Public health warnings regarding heat-related illnesses were communicated, emphasizing the symptoms of heat exhaustion, which include excessive sweating, dizziness, and muscle cramps. If symptoms worsen, heat exhaustion may escalate to heat stroke, a potentially life-threatening condition.
As the weather system continues to evolve, residents are urged to remain vigilant and informed to ensure their safety amid these severe weather conditions.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Issued for Spartanburg and Cherokee
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Hit South Carolina
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Hit Berkeley County
Severe Thunderstorm Alert for Southern Lancaster and Surrounding Areas
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings for South Carolina Residents
Beaufort County Faces Thunderstorm Warnings Until Late Afternoon
Charleston Braces for Severe Thunderstorms
Additional Resources
- Live 5 News – Thunderstorm Warning
- Wikipedia: Thunderstorm
- ABC News 4 – Severe Thunderstorm Warning
- Google Search: Severe Thunderstorm Warning
- Count on 2 – Severe Thunderstorm Watch
- Google Scholar: Thunderstorm Safety
- Myrtle Beach Online – Weather News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Severe Weather
- WV Metro News – Thunderstorm Watch
- Google News: Severe Weather Alerts
Author: STAFF HERE HILTON HEAD
HILTON HEAD STAFF WRITER The HILTON HEAD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHiltonHead.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Hilton Head Island, Beaufort County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the RBC Heritage golf tournament, Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival, and the Gullah Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, plus leading businesses in tourism and hospitality that power the local economy such as Sea Pines Resort and Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
