Columbia, South Carolina, August 15, 2025
News Summary
Severe weather has impacted South Carolina, leading to around 140,000 power outages, particularly in Richland and Lexington counties. Alongside the outages, 20 individuals at Dominion Beach Park were struck by lightning. The storms also resulted in two confirmed tornadoes in the state. Emergency services are actively responding to restore power and provide assistance to affected residents as forecasts predict further severe weather.
Columbia, South Carolina – Severe weather has swept through South Carolina, resulting in approximately 140,000 power outages across the state, particularly affecting the western regions. Richland County and Lexington County have been hit hardest, with around 16,000 and nearly 30,000 outages, respectively. Additional areas impacted include Fairfield County with nearly 2,000 outages, Saluda with over 8,500, and Newberry County with nearly 6,700 outages.
Local officials in Newberry County reported downed trees and power lines due to the storm’s intensity. Emergency services, along with the South Carolina Department of Transportation and power restoration crews, are actively responding to the crisis and working diligently to restore power to affected residents.
The storms, which initially caused significant disruption, are expected to diminish in strength as they progress eastward. Despite this, the greatest threats of further severe weather remain concentrated south of Interstate 20, with forecasts predicting another round of storms potentially arriving on Sunday morning, bringing additional chances for severe conditions later in the day.
In related news, a separate incident at Dominion Beach Park near Dreher Shoals Dam resulted in 20 individuals being struck by lightning on Tuesday evening. The lightning strike occurred around 4:43 p.m. while a group of eight adults and 12 children were swimming. Reports indicate that the strike energized metal cables connected to buoys in the swimming area.
Initially, 18 individuals were transported to local hospitals for treatment, including all 12 children. However, it was later confirmed that only 12 people needed medical attention at three local hospitals, with all survivors expected to recover fully. There was no detailed breakdown regarding the age of the injured individuals.
The National Weather Service issued a Special Weather Statement just five minutes prior to the lightning incident, warning of a strong thunderstorm with intense lightning and wind gusts reaching up to 50 mph. Furthermore, John Jensenius from the National Lightning Safety Council noted that lightning can strike as far as 10 miles away from a thunderstorm, emphasizing the importance of caution during such weather events.
In the aftermath of the storms, the National Weather Service in Columbia confirmed the occurrence of two tornadoes in South Carolina during the storms. One was classified as an EF1 tornado in Lexington County, which impacted the Chapin-Lake Murray area for about 10 minutes, covering a distance of 5.8 miles with a width of 125 yards. The second tornado was rated as an EF0 in Barnwell County, lasting only two minutes with maximum wind speeds of around 80 mph, causing damage by uprooting trees and snapping large branches. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported from either tornado. These events mark the first confirmed tornadoes in South Carolina for the year.
FAQ
What are the main areas affected by the power outages in South Carolina?
The primary areas affected include Richland County with approximately 16,000 outages, Lexington County with nearly 30,000 outages, and additional outages throughout Fairfield, Saluda, and Newberry Counties.
How many people were injured by the lightning strike at Dominion Beach Park?
A total of 20 individuals were struck by lightning, with 12 people requiring treatment at local hospitals. All are expected to survive.
Have any tornadoes been confirmed in South Carolina recently?
Yes, two tornadoes have been confirmed in South Carolina during the recent storms. One was rated EF1 and the other EF0, with no reported injuries from either tornado.
Key Features of Recent Severe Weather Events
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Power Outages | Approx. 140,000 outages across SC; major areas include Richland (16,000) and Lexington (30,000) |
| Lightning Strike | 20 individuals struck at Dominion Beach Park; 12 transported to hospitals; all expected to survive |
| Tornadoes | Two confirmed tornadoes: EF1 in Lexington (10 min, 5.8 miles) and EF0 in Barnwell (2 min) |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Severe Weather Alert: Flash Floods and Thunderstorms in Columbia, SC
Severe Thunderstorms Expected in Columbia Area
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued for Columbia Region
Severe Thunderstorms Hit Columbia, SC, Causing Concern for Flooding
Columbia Metropolitan Airport Resumes Operations After Disruption
Severe Flood Advisory Issued for South Carolina Counties
Governor McMaster Honors Dr. Susan Elkins with Order of the Palmetto
Augusta Faces Flood Advisory as Tropical Storm Erin Approaches
Lexington Set to Open New Park This September
North Augusta Elementary School Principal Arrested for DUI
Additional Resources
- Herald Online: Severe Weather in SC
- Wikipedia: Severe Weather
- The State: Weather News
- Google Search: Severe Weather South Carolina
- WLTX: Weather Impact Alert
- Google Scholar: Severe Weather
- Spectrum Local News: Confirmed Tornado in SC
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tornadoes
- Fox Weather: Lightning Strike in SC
- Google News: Lightning Strikes South Carolina
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
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