News Summary
Strong thunderstorms and multiple tornadoes hit South Carolina, prompting significant weather alerts from the National Weather Service. Reports of severe thunderstorms with wind gusts up to 50 mph were noted, and two tornadoes were confirmed, including an EF1 in Lexington County. Residents faced warning alerts and were advised to seek shelter due to severe weather threats, highlighting the importance of preparedness during such events.
Columbia, SC – Strong thunderstorms and multiple tornadoes swept through South Carolina early Sunday morning, resulting in significant weather alerts from the National Weather Service (NWS) and minor damage across several counties. The NWS issued a report at 8:34 a.m. warning of powerful thunderstorms affecting Barnwell and Bamberg counties, with the alert remaining in effect until 9:30 a.m.
Wind gusts associated with the storm reached as high as 50 mph, posing risks of falling tree limbs and flying debris. Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm near Millett, situated seven miles southeast of the Savannah River Site, moving northeast at a speed of 20 mph. Areas directly affected included Barnwell, Williston, Blackville, Barnwell State Park, Hilda, Snelling, Elko, Barnwell County Airport, and the Savannah River Site K Complex.
Residents were advised to seek shelter indoors as the storm approached due to the threat of severe weather conditions, including frequent cloud-to-ground lightning, which can strike up to 10 miles from a thunderstorm. Lightning strikes in the U.S. occur around 25 million times each year, with an average of 20 fatalities reported annually, primarily during the summer months.
During this weather event, two tornadoes were confirmed in South Carolina. The first was an EF1 tornado in Lexington County that lasted from 7:38 a.m. to 7:48 a.m., traveling a distance of 5.8 miles and reaching a width of 125 yards. Fortunately, it caused tree damage but resulted in no reported injuries. The second tornado, classified as an EF0, touched down in Barnwell County near the Sweetwater Country Club, lasting only two minutes but successfully uprooting several large pine trees.
In total, at least three tornadoes were confirmed across the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) on the same morning. Additionally, the NWS reported two EF0 tornadoes in Burke County, Georgia, with maximum wind speeds of 80 mph. These tornadoes caused significant damage to properties; one traveled 4.35 miles while the other covered 3.08 miles, both remaining on the ground for about four minutes.
A tornado warning was issued for the region, which activated local alerts across the CSRA. The confirmed tornadoes in Georgia also included a notable EF1 tornado in Paulding County, which caused additional property damage.
This early morning weather event serves as a reminder of the potential dangers associated with thunderstorms and tornado activity within the region, prompting local authorities to encourage residents to remain vigilant during sudden weather changes and to always be prepared for severe conditions.
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Additional Resources
- WJBF: Three Confirmed Tornadoes in the CSRA
- Wikipedia: Tornado
- Fox 5 Atlanta: High-Speed Chase Ends in Buckhead Crash
- Google Search: Severe Weather
- Spectrum Local News: South Carolina Tornado Confirmed
- Google Scholar: Weather Alerts
- ABC Columbia: Storms to Move Through the Midlands
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Weather Safety
