News Summary
Severe thunderstorms have disrupted life in South Carolina and Alabama, particularly affecting Charleston and its neighboring areas. The National Weather Service issued urgent warnings as residents braced for intense winds and lightning. Major highways faced closures due to storm damage, while Alabama experienced power outages and fallen trees. Safety precautions remain crucial as storms continue to threaten communities across the affected regions.
Charleston and Beyond: Severe Thunderstorms Create Chaos Across South Carolina and Alabama
Well folks, it seems Mother Nature was not in the best of moods this week as severe thunderstorms wreaked havoc across parts of South Carolina and Alabama. Residents in Charleston and the surrounding areas were on high alert as thunderstorms rolled through, causing all sorts of chaos.
Weather Warnings in Full Effect
On Tuesday, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Charleston issued warnings around 4:53 p.m. for strong thunderstorms expected until 5:30 p.m. This alert impacted areas like Inland Jasper and Coastal Jasper, including notable spots like Savannah International Airport and Downtown Savannah. Doppler radar was tracking a tempestuous thunderstorm over Bloomingdale, lurching northeast at a snail’s pace of just 5 mph.
The NWS cautioned that not only were there going to be frequent cloud-to-ground lightning strikes, but gusty winds could easily topple tree limbs and send unsecured items flying. Residents were advised to stay indoors and avoid driving through flooded roads as torrential downpours soaked the ground.
Highways in Jeopardy
If you were planning a road trip, you might have wanted to think twice. Major highways were impacted by these storms, specifically:
- I-16 between mile markers 149 and 165
- I-95 in Georgia between mile markers 93 and 112
- I-95 in South Carolina between mile markers 2 and 5
- I-516 between mile markers 4 and 9
In total, affected towns included Pooler, Richmond Hill, Rincon, and many others. However, as always, safety comes first!
New Alerts and More Warnings
Fast-forward to later that evening, the NWS issued an updated severe thunderstorm warning at 7:49 p.m. for Charleston County lasting until 8 p.m. This time, residents were bracing for wind gusts up to an astonishing 60 mph. Storms were spotted along a line from Meggett to near Kiawah Island, making for a very scary night.
Those living on Johns Island, James Island, and Folly Beach were especially urged to get to safety. Staying indoors, away from windows, and avoiding flooded roads was the name of the game.
More Trouble on the Way
Just a day later, on Wednesday at 7:13 p.m., another strong thunderstorm warning was issued for Inland Jasper until 7:45 p.m. A storm was tracked over Shawnee, shuffling east at 10 mph. Springfield and Clyo were also in for a rough ride.
For everyone in the affected areas, it’s essential to stay updated via NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards, local news, or TV for the latest developments.
Alabama’s Struggles
Meanwhile, central Alabama was not spared from the storms. Over the weekend, reports poured in of storm damage, power outages, and road closures. Blount County faced significant issues as Highway 231 was closed for six hours because of downed power lines and trees.
Other incidents included tents blowing over during Alabaster CityFest and a tree crashing onto a house in the Oak Mountain Community. In Cullman County, a tree even fell on a school bus — thankfully it can be repaired!
Birmingham was hit hard too, with downed trees blocking up to 30 streets, causing all sorts of frustration for residents. In total, Alabama Power crews scrambled to restore service to over 50,000 left in the dark. By Monday morning, almost all customers were back up and running, but it served as a stark reminder to treat downed power lines as if they were still live wires!
Take Caution!
As we navigate through this stormy season, it’s crucial for everyone to pay attention to safety measures. If there’s thunder, it’s best to seek shelter and avoid those dangerous flooded roads. After all, staying safe is what it’s all about!
Stay safe out there, and keep an eye on the weather!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Severe Thunderstorms Strike South Carolina and Missouri
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings for Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina
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Additional Resources
- Herald Online: Severe Thunderstorms in South Carolina
- Wikipedia: Severe Thunderstorm
- Myrtle Beach Online: Weather News Update
- Google Search: Severe Thunderstorm News
- Island Packet: Weather Report
- Google Scholar: Severe Thunderstorm
- The State: Thunderstorm Coverage
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Thunderstorm
- WBRC: Central Alabama Storm Damage
- Google News: Alabama Weather Reports
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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