News Summary
Residents in South Carolina are grappling with severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings that recently rolled through the region. The National Weather Service issued multiple warnings, including tornado watches, affecting several counties in the Midlands. Reports confirm two tornadoes touched down, with one classified as EF1 causing tree damage in the Chapin-Lake Murray area, and another as EF0 in Barnwell. Additionally, a lightning strike at Dominion Beach Park hospitalized 12 people. As conditions improve, residents are urged to remain vigilant about weather alerts.
Columbia, South Carolina – Severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings recently impacted South Carolina, causing significant concerns for residents. On Sunday, a tornado warning was issued for the Columbia area, which lasted until 8:15 a.m. in conjunction with a severe thunderstorm warning effective until 8:30 a.m. The National Weather Service (NWS) also issued a tornado watch for Richland County, Lexington County, and several surrounding counties, indicating heightened weather risks for nearly the entire Midlands region.
The thunderstorm that prompted the initial warning ultimately weakened below severe limits and no longer poses an immediate threat. However, gusty winds of up to 60 mph remain a concern. Weather forecasts predicted continued severe conditions through Sunday afternoon, with strong winds linked to the cold front that contributed to potential flash flooding. Nearly all of the Midlands were under a tornado watch until 2 p.m., with expectations of localized rainfall exceeding half an inch.
As the severe weather unfolded, tornado sightings were reported at Dreher Island, moving over Lake Murray toward the dam. The storms also sparked a lake wind advisory for the region, cautioning against 25 mph winds with gusts up to 40 mph on local lakes, posing risks to small vessels. Damaging winds could lead to downed trees, destroyed mobile homes, and damaged roofs and outbuildings.
On the same day, the NWS confirmed that two tornadoes had touched down as part of the storms across South Carolina. An EF1 tornado hit the Chapin-Lake Murray area beginning at 7:38 a.m., lasting 10 minutes, covering a distance of 5.8 miles, and causing primarily tree damage. Meanwhile, an EF0 tornado was reported in Barnwell, which lasted two minutes and uprooted several large pine trees, recording maximum winds of around 80 mph. Both tornadoes marked the first of the year in South Carolina.
More alarming news came from an incident at Dominion Beach Park in Lexington, where a lightning strike during a thunderstorm hospitalized a total of 12 individuals, including eight adults and four children. The lightning strike hit at around 4:43 p.m. ET, affecting swimmers in the area and energizing a metal cable attached to buoys. Initially, reports indicated that 18 people were affected, but the number was later updated to 12 hospitalized individuals, all of whom are expected to survive, although specifics of their injuries were not disclosed. The NWS had issued a Special Weather Statement just five minutes prior to the strike, warning of an approaching thunderstorm.
Lightning strikes occur approximately 25 million times a year in the U.S., with the majority during summer months. They can kill an average of 20 people per year, and the risk significantly escalates as a thunderstorm approaches. Lightning can strike as far as 10 miles away from a storm, emphasizing the need for caution in rainy weather.
As the severe weather conditions subsided, the forecast indicated a transition to dry and warm weather for the upcoming days, with temperatures expected to reach a high of around 78 degrees on Wednesday. The beach park where the lightning strike occurred is scheduled to reopen on Wednesday following the incident.
Residents in affected areas have been urged to remain vigilant for potential severe weather conditions and to stay informed through reliable sources as they seek to recover from these recent events.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Issue for South Carolina
Flash Flood Warning Initiated for Lexington and Saluda Counties
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued for Midlands Area
Tropical Storm Chantal Weakens After Hitting South Carolina
Phoenix Rising FC Faces Disappointing Setback Against Lexington SC
Tropical Storm Chantal to Impact Charleston this Weekend
Additional Resources
- Island Packet
- Wikipedia: Severe Weather
- The State
- Google Search: Severe Weather South Carolina
- WLTX
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tornado
- Fox Weather
- Google News: Lightning Strike South Carolina
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.
