News Summary
Severe thunderstorms and record rainfall pose significant threats to South Carolina and Georgia residents. The National Weather Service issued alerts for strong storms, accompanying gusty winds, flooding and potential tornadoes. Charleston recorded significant flooding with rain surpassing historical records. Emergency officials advise residents to take shelter and stay informed as flash flood warnings extend across the Southeast, raising concerns of further weather disruptions in the coming days.
Charleston, South Carolina – Severe thunderstorms and flooding pose significant threats to residents of South Carolina and Georgia as record rainfall accumulates across the southeastern United States. On Sunday, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued weather alerts for strong thunderstorms affecting Coastal Jasper and Beaufort County. At approximately 3:49 p.m., the storm, moving east at 20 mph, was detected by Doppler radar from Bluffton to Midtown Savannah.
The thunderstorms bring the risk of gusty winds, which may down tree limbs and displace unsecured items. Locations most impacted by the weather alert include Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Tybee Island, and parts of Savannah, including Downtown Savannah and Hunter Army Airfield. Residents along Interstate 16, particularly between mile markers 166 and 168, are also urged to monitor the situation.
Emergency officials recommend that people take shelter indoors during severe weather, especially thunderstorms. The NWS advises residents to keep informed through NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards, TV broadcasts, or local news updates regarding the evolving weather conditions.
The repercussions of the intense storms reached alarming levels as Charleston reported significant flooding after heavy rainfalls. The Charleston International Airport recorded 1.99 inches of rain since midnight, surpassing a 1952 record of 1.93 inches for May 11. Similarly, Downtown Charleston experienced 2.06 inches of rain, breaking a long-standing record set in 1899.
Additionally, Panama City, Florida documented a staggering rate of 5.63 inches per hour, with 0.75 inches falling in merely eight minutes early Sunday. Flash floods have led to numerous warnings across Alabama, Florida, and South Carolina, with localized areas expected to receive more than 4 inches of rain, raising concerns of flash flooding.
The NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center has alerted millions in the Southeast and mid-Atlantic of potential flooding issues, indicating flood threat levels of 2 out of 4 in various regions. Forecasts show that rainfall estimates could range from 3 to 5 inches in many areas, while isolated pockets may see as much as 7 inches, especially in western North Carolina and Virginia. The risk of flash flooding remains high.
The threat of severe storms is anticipated to persist, with additional thunderstorms predicted to impact parts of South Carolina and North Carolina from Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. This forecast raises concerns about damaging winds and the possibility of isolated tornadoes, particularly in far western North Carolina.
Safety remains a primary concern, as statistics show that approximately 25 million lightning strikes occur annually across the U.S., leading to around 20 fatalities predominately in the summer months. As a thunderstorm approaches, the likelihood of lightning strikes increases, peaking when the storm is directly overhead before decreasing as it moves away.
Residents in affected areas are urged to exercise caution and prepare for possible disruptions caused by the severe weather. With conditions expected to continue fluctuating in the coming days, officials remind the public to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
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HERE Resources
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Stormy Predictions for the 2025 Hurricane Season
Tragic Drowning Incident at Hilton Head Island
Severe Thunderstorms Strike Upstate SC and NE Georgia
Major Weather Changes Unfolding in Charleston
Severe Weather Hits South Carolina and Maryland
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Affect York and Chester Counties
Stormy Weather Wreaks Havoc in Dorchester County
Thunderstorm Warnings Issued for Orangeburg Area
Additional Resources
- WYFF4: Tornadoes and Severe Weather in South and North Carolina
- Wikipedia: Tornado
- Fox Weather: Flash Flood Threat in Southeast
- Google Search: Flash Floods Southeast
- WLTX: South Carolina Storm Forecast
- Google Scholar: South Carolina Storm Forecast
- Herald: Weather News in the Carolinas
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Weather
- Live 5 News: Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Lowcountry
- Google News: Severe Thunderstorms Lowcountry
