News Summary
Severe thunderstorms have hit the Carolinas and Georgia, prompting alerts for hail and high winds. Residents in affected areas are urged to seek shelter, while a State of Emergency has been declared in Georgia due to recent severe weather causing power outages and property damage. Cleanup efforts are underway following the storms, with expectations for improved conditions by Sunday morning.
Stormy Weather Hits the Carolinas and Georgia
As the clock struck just before 10 p.m. on Thursday, residents in parts of North and South Carolina were alerted to serious weather conditions. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina, issued a severe thunderstorm alert for regions including the Oconee Mountains, Pickens Mountains, and the Greater Pickens. This weather warning is set to last until 10:30 p.m., bringing some unwelcome surprises for late-night plans.
The storms brewing in the area could unleash pea-sized hail and wind gusts reaching up to 40 mph. Just moments before the alert, radar showed a strong thunderstorm approximately 17 miles east of Franklin, near Cashiers, charging forward at a speed of 45 mph towards the southeast.
Residents in areas like Lake Toxaway, Pumpkintown, Tuckasegee, and more should prepare for some potential disturbances, as gusty winds could easily knock down tree limbs and throw about unsecured objects. Hail, although only pea-sized, could still impact outdoor items. As the storm rolls in, the NWS strongly advises everyone to seek shelter indoors if they happen to be outside, especially with frequent cloud-to-ground lightning being a part of the mix. It is noteworthy that lightning can strike as far as 10 miles away.
Statistics from the NWS indicate that around 25 million lightning strikes occur in the U.S. each year, particularly in the summer months, leading to almost 20 fatalities annually. As storm clouds gather, the risk of lightning ramps up significantly.
Earlier in the week, on Tuesday at 9:05 p.m., the NWS had already issued an alert for another round of thunderstorms affecting the Oconee Mountains and Greater Oconee. With similar weather concerns—pea-sized hail and winds up to 40 mph—the conditions prompted warnings for areas such as Mountain Rest, Lake Keowee, and Oconee State Park. Reports also suggested heavy rainfall that posed a risk of localized flooding, making it crucial for individuals to avoid driving through any flooded roads.
Georgia: Tornado Warnings Lifted
Meanwhile, just to the south, a sense of relief washed over Georgia residents as of 4:45 a.m. when tornado watches were canceled for all counties following a rough weekend of severe weather. Cleanup crews have been actively working to restore power and remove downed trees and debris from recent storms that resulted in property damage.
The storm system had wreaked havoc across areas of North Georgia and metro Atlanta, bringing damaging winds, potential tornadoes, hail, and flash flooding. As of 12:30 a.m., it was reported that over 30,000 Georgia Power customers were facing outages or service interruptions.
Tornado warnings for counties such as Baldwin, Putnam, and Hancock had also expired before 4:30 a.m., but several areas continued to face severe thunderstorm warnings that had the potential to produce tornadoes. Even though the immediate threat was lifted, the risk for tornadoes remained elevated throughout the state.
State of Emergency Declared
In response to these weather challenges, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp declared a State of Emergency. This declaration opens the door for distributing emergency resources more effectively. Shelters have been established in places like Atlanta and Carroll County as a proactive measure in case severe weather impacts were anticipated. Officials cautioned residents about potentially hazardous road conditions and strongly urged everyone to make preparations for the overnight storms.
By Sunday morning, it was expected that most of the rain and storms would move out of the area, paving the way for clearer skies ahead. To stay in the loop about weather alerts, folks are encouraged to make use of specific apps and NOAA weather radios for the most reliable updates.
As the storms begin to settle, residents are reminded of the importance of safety precautions and being prepared for sudden changes in weather. With some planning and awareness, everyone can ride out the storm comfortably!
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Additional Resources
- Herald Online: Stormy Weather Hits the Carolinas and Georgia
- Wikipedia: Thunderstorm
- Island Packet: Weather Alerts Update
- Google Search: Severe Weather Impact
- Fox 5 Atlanta: Severe Weather Threat in Metro Atlanta
- Google Scholar: Weather Alerts
- 11 Alive: Strong Storms in North Georgia
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tornado
- WYFF4: Helene Flooding Updates
- Google News: Weather Alerts South Carolina
Author: STAFF HERE ROCK HILL
The ROCK HILL STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERockHill.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Rock Hill, York 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 Come-See-Me Festival, Rock Hill Arts Festival, and motorsport events at the Rock Hill Velodrome. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Rock Hill Chamber of Commerce and the Culture & Heritage Museums, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and technology that power the local economy such as 3D Systems and Comporium. 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.
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