News Summary
Chesterfield County is on alert for a strong thunderstorm rolling in tonight, with pea-sized hail and wind gusts up to 50 mph expected. Residents should take precautions, including seeking shelter and being prepared for localized flooding. The National Weather Service has warned of the storm starting around 7:15 p.m. and lasting until 7:45 p.m., advising those in the area to stay informed and keep safety as a top priority.
Thunderstorm Alert for Chesterfield County!
Hey, folks in Chesterfield County! It looks like Mother Nature has something a bit raucous planned for this evening. The National Weather Service has just issued an updated alert warning of a strong thunderstorm that is set to roll through our area tonight, starting at 7:15 p.m. and lasting until around 7:45 p.m. You’ll definitely want to pay attention to what’s happening outside!
What to Expect
What can you expect from this storm? For starters, get ready for some pea-sized hail—that’s a quarter of an inch—along with some fierce wind gusts that could reach up to a whopping 50 mph. That’s not a breeze that you’ll want to ignore! If you happen to spot a strong thunderstorm on Doppler radar, it’s likely coming your way from near Cheraw Municipal Airport, which is about 8 miles northwest of Cheraw. The storm is moving southeast at a speedy 30 mph, so it won’t take long to get here!
Be Prepared
For those outdoors, it’s a smart move to find shelter inside a sturdy building. The gusty winds are strong enough that they could easily knock down tree limbs or toss around any unsecured items in your yard. This means things like lawn furniture, garden decorations, and even trash cans could end up in a different zip code if you’re not careful!
Locations in the Line of Fire
If you live in or around these areas, you really ought to keep your eyes peeled and stay informed:
- Cheraw
- Chesterfield
- Cheraw Municipal Airport
- Cheraw State Park
- Northeastern Technical College
- McFarlan
Stay Safe from Lightning
Let’s talk about lightning. Did you know that it strikes the U.S. around 25 million times each year? Most of these strikes happen during the warmer months, and it’s a serious business with about 20 fatalities caused by lightning annually. When thunderstorms pop up, the risk for lightning increases dramatically, peaking when the storm is right overhead, then tapering off as it moves away. So, if you hear thunder, you’re better off inside!
Driving Cautions and Hydroplaning
If you have to jump in the car during this storm, be very cautious. When it’s pouring rain, you might experience hydroplaning, where your vehicle can slide uncontrollably on wet roads. It all boils down to water building up in front of your tires, causing you to lose control. There are a few key reasons why hydroplaning happens, so do keep that in mind!
Be Mindful of Flooding
Keep in mind that heavy rain can also lead to localized flooding. Remember just a few months ago on May 29, when similar thunderstorms impacted the area? Well, they issued warnings about flooding, and it could happen again! So, do yourself a favor: avoid driving through any flooded roadways, as that can be a recipe for disaster.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it! The storm is on its way, and it’s better to be safe than sorry. Stay updated, take shelter if you’re outdoors, and keep your loved ones informed. Your safety is what’s most important right now, so stay dry and stay safe, Chesterfield County!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Severe Thunderstorms and Tornado Warning in Rock Hill, SC
Severe Weather Alerts Issued Across South Carolina
Severe Thunderstorm Warning for McCormick and Edgefield Counties
Hilton Head Braces for Severe Thunderstorms This Weekend
Myrtle Beach on Thunderstorm Alert: Stay Safe!
Severe Thunderstorm Alerts in Myrtle Beach and Conway
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Issued for Myrtle Beach Area
Severe Weather Alert for Central South Carolina – Thunderstorms on the Way!
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Issued for Spartanburg County, SC
Severe Thunderstorms Hit Spartanburg County
Additional Resources
- Island Packet: Thunderstorm Alert
- ABC Columbia: Storms Moving Through Midlands
- WFXG: Yellowstone Quiz
- Herald Online: Weather News
- The State: Weather Updates
- Wikipedia: Thunderstorm
- Google Search: Thunderstorm Alerts
- Google Scholar: Thunderstorms
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Thunderstorm
- Google News: Thunderstorm Warnings
