News Summary
Central South Carolina and parts of Michigan are experiencing severe weather, including thunderstorms and tornado threats. Residents are urged to take precautions as power outages and damages are reported in multiple counties. While South Carolina sees lifted thunderstorm warnings, over 9,000 power outages were reported in Lexington County alone. Michigan faces damaging winds and tornado warnings, stressing the importance of safety for those in affected areas. Fortunately, the weekend promises drier weather after the storms.
Severe Weather Strikes Central South Carolina and Michigan
This week, citizens of Central South Carolina and parts of Michigan are bracing themselves as a series of thunderstorms and tornado threats sweep through their neighborhoods. Residents are urged to stay alert and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
Thunderstorm Warnings in Full Effect
In South Carolina, a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Calhoun, Clarendon, and Orangeburg counties. Thankfully, the storms that triggered this warning have now moved out of the area, allowing officials to lift the warning. However, it’s important to note that a Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains active until midnight for central parts of the state.
According to data, approximately 25 million lightning strikes occur in the U.S. each year, primarily during the summer months. Unfortunately, these strikes result in around 20 fatalities annually. When a thunderstorm is right overhead, the likelihood of lightning strikes peaks. So when you hear booming thunder, it’s best to seek shelter indoors.
Power Outages and Damage Reports
For residents in Lexington County, the storm brought more than just rain: reports indicate that there were significant damages, including downed trees and power lines. Streets near Swansea, such as Highway 21, experienced substantial disruptions, with a tree blocking Highway 6. Residents in Calhoun County weren’t spared either; significant tree damage was reported, particularly around Highway 601, with one tree tumbling down in a yard in St. Matthews.
Clarendon County faced multiple incidents of downed trees, while Orangeburg County had trees down along Watersprings Road and Sunshine Lane. At the peak of these weather troubles, nearly 9,000 power outages were reported in Lexington County alone, with an additional 5,600 outages across Calhoun and Clarendon counties combined. Residents are urged to stay informed about their local utility providers’ efforts to restore power.
Looking Ahead to the Weekend
On a brighter note, the storm system currently making its way through the region is expected to pave the way for **drier weather** this weekend, with pleasant temperatures in the low 80s during the daytime and cooler evenings in the upper 50s to low 60s.
Sparks and Storms in Michigan
Meanwhile, in Michigan, Washtenaw County was under a severe thunderstorm warning until early morning hours. While the tornado watch for Ingham County was thankfully canceled, other areas such as Ingham, Clinton, Eaton, Calhoun, and Ionia counties experienced active tornado warnings due to radar indicating potential rotation.
Areas affected in Michigan included neighborhoods around Lansing, Mason, and East Lansing. The thunderstorms there were no joke, bringing the potential for damaging winds up to 60 mph, which could wreak havoc on roofs, siding, and trees.
Safety Comes First
For anyone living in these storm-affected areas, safety is the top priority. Residents are reminded to seek shelter in secure buildings or basements whenever severe weather hits. As unpredictable as Mother Nature can be, staying informed and prepared is the best defense.
As we continue to monitor these weather conditions, let’s keep our fingers crossed for calmer skies ahead. Stay safe, everyone!
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Additional Resources
- WLTX: Severe Storms Threaten Midlands Again
- Wikipedia: Severe Weather
- MLive: Thunderstorms with Damaging Winds in Calhoun County
- Google Search: Severe Weather
- Fox47News: Severe Storms Expected This Evening
- Google Scholar: Weather Alerts
- Fox Carolina: NWS Confirms Weak Tornado Touched Down
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Severe Weather
- Calhoun Journal: Severe Weather Alert
- Google News: Storm Reports
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette 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 Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
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