News Summary
Severe thunderstorms have struck South Carolina, particularly affecting McCormick, Edgefield, and Aiken counties. Alerts remain in place due to potential hazards like heavy winds and hail. As Doppler radar shows intense storms in the area, residents are advised to exercise caution on impacted highways and prepare for possible utility disruptions, as over 10,000 customers faced power outages. The National Weather Service warns of continued severe weather into Monday, with risks of tornadoes and hazardous driving conditions expected.
Columbia, South Carolina – Severe thunderstorms are currently affecting areas in South Carolina, particularly in McCormick, Edgefield, and Aiken counties, with alerts issued through 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. Residents are advised to be cautious of potential hazards such as pea-sized hail and wind gusts reaching up to 50 mph, which may cause minor damage to outdoor items and potentially knock down tree limbs.
As of 6:01 p.m. on Sunday, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm was present over the Summerville and Augusta areas, moving southeast at approximately 15 mph. Notable locations under alert include North Augusta, Grovetown, Evans, Martinez, Fort Eisenhower, Augusta, Clearwater, Belvedere, Hephzibah, New Ellenton, Jackson, Glendale, South Augusta, Clarks Hill Recreation Area, Midtown, Riverwood, Augusta Mall, Daniel Field, and Augusta Regional Airport.
The severe weather conditions are impacting critical transportation routes, including segments of Interstate 20 and Interstate 520, raising concerns for drivers in affected areas. Motorists are advised to exercise caution if traveling on these highways, especially between mile markers 188 and 201 on both the South Carolina and Georgia portions of Interstate 20 and between mile markers 1 and 15 on the Georgia side of Interstate 520.
The National Weather Service (NWS) also reported that over 10,000 customers were without power on Sunday morning as strong winds and heavy rain disrupted utilities. Earlier in the day, a severe thunderstorm warning was enacted for Columbia, Lexington, and West Columbia due to expected wind gusts of 60 mph and possible hail, effective until 11:15 a.m.
Strong winds remain the primary concern in today’s severe weather forecast, with the highest intensity anticipated between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The areas south of the Interstate 20 corridor are expected to experience the worst conditions. Ongoing clean-up efforts from previous storms on Saturday night, which caused damage through downed branches and utility poles across the Midlands, add to the complications from today’s weather.
Boaters on Lake Murray are encouraged to seek safe shelter as thunderstorms are likely to create hazardous water conditions. As storms can produce over 25 million lightning strikes annually in the United States — with about 20 fatalities occurring each year — the NWS underscores the importance of remaining indoors during these conditions.
Hydroplaning is a significant risk associated with heavy rainfall, where a vehicle loses contact with the road surface due to water accumulation in front of tires. Contributing factors to hydroplaning include insufficient tread depth, excessive speed, and wet road conditions. Residents are advised to remain cautious while driving under these circumstances as hydroplaning can lead to uncontrollable sliding and accidents.
As conditions continue to worsen, further thunderstorms are expected on Monday, with predictions of considerable damage risk, including the potential for tornadoes. Accumulated rainfall could reach up to an inch by Monday night. Following Monday’s storms, the Columbia area may experience rain and thunderstorms daily through next weekend with the exception of Wednesday, as temperatures are forecasted to remain around 90 degrees most days.
Residents are encouraged to stay updated with local weather forecasts and remain prepared for potential hazardous conditions as severe thunderstorms and heavy rain persist in the region.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Severe Thunderstorms Hit Charleston Area With Warnings
Severe Thunderstorm Alerts for Laurens County
Severe Thunderstorms Cause Damage in Augusta, CA
Severe Thunderstorm Hits Coastal Jasper and Beaufort County
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Issued for Spartanburg County
Severe Weather Impacts Millions Across the U.S. This Weekend
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Issued for Charleston, SC
EF-1 Tornado Hits Clarendon County Amid Severe Storms
Severe Thunderstorms Strike Upstate South Carolina and Northeast Georgia
Severe Thunderstorm Alert Issued for Marlboro and Dillon Counties
Additional Resources
- The State: Severe Weather in South Carolina
- Wikipedia: Thunderstorm
- Island Packet: Weather Alerts for Severe Thunderstorms
- Google Search: Severe Weather in South Carolina
- WLTX: Weather Impact Alerts
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Severe Weather
- WACH: Columbia SC Weather Update
- Google News: South Carolina Weather Threats
Author: STAFF HERE HILTON HEAD
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.
