News Summary
Greenwood County is currently under a severe thunderstorm warning, effective until 7:30 p.m. Residents should prepare for quarter-sized hail and wind gusts up to 60 mph. Areas impacted include Coronaca, Bradley, and Ninety Six. The National Weather Service advises seeking shelter and remaining vigilant during this storm, which may also bring localized flooding and high risks of hydroplaning for drivers.
Greenwood County is currently under a severe thunderstorm warning issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) Greenville-Spartanburg at 7:01 p.m. on Wednesday. This warning is in effect until 7:30 p.m. as a severe thunderstorm is moving through the area.
The storm is expected to bring quarter-sized hail, measuring about 1 inch, and intense wind gusts of up to 60 mph. At the time of the warning, the storm was located near Greenwood and was moving northeast at a speed of 15 mph. Residents living in this area should prepare for potential minor hail damage to vehicles.
In addition to hail, the NWS warns that residents should brace for possible wind damage to trees and power lines. Areas specifically impacted by this warning include Coronaca, Bradley, Greenwood, Greenwood State Park, Promised Land, Ninety Six Historic Site, and Ninety Six.
Residents are advised to seek shelter in an interior room on the lowest floor of their buildings to ensure safety during the storm. The NWS has emphasized the importance of following these precautions, particularly due to the dangers associated with severe thunderstorms.
In conjunction with the initial storm warning, a second storm system was reported near Greenwood at 6:56 p.m., producing wind gusts of up to 50 mph and nickel-sized hail measuring 0.88 inches. This alert, too, is effective until 7:30 p.m., covering similar regions including Coronaca, Lake Greenwood State Park, Bradley, Greenwood, Greenwood State Park, Promised Land, Ninety Six Historic Site, Ninety Six, Callison, and Epworth.
Residents should also be aware of the potential for localized flooding due to heavy rainfall associated with these storms. Drivers are particularly cautioned against attempting to drive through flooded roadways, as this can lead to dangerous situations. Flooded roads can conceal hazardous conditions and swift water, making it challenging to navigate safely.
One significant risk during thunderstorms is hydroplaning, which occurs when water accumulates on roads and prevents a vehicle’s tires from adequately contacting the surface. This can result in the loss of traction and control of the vehicle. Hydroplaning typically happens when water builds up faster than the vehicle’s weight can displace it, which places drivers at high risk during storms.
In the United States, lightning strikes average around 25 million annually, predominantly during the summer months. These strikes lead to approximately 20 fatalities each year, with the risk of being struck by lightning increasing as a thunderstorm approaches and peaking when the storm is overhead.
The NWS emphasizes the importance of implementing safety measures during thunderstorms. If finding indoor shelter is not possible, individuals are encouraged to follow safety tips, which may include avoiding open fields and tall trees, staying away from vehicles, and refraining from using electrical appliances.
As the storm continues to approach, residents of Greenwood County and the surrounding areas should remain vigilant and monitor alerts from the NWS for further updates on the storm’s developments. Being prepared and informed can help ensure safety during severe weather events.
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Additional Resources
- The State
- Wikipedia: Thunderstorm
- Herald Online
- Google Search: severe thunderstorm warning
- Island Packet
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Thunderstorm
- WSPA
- Google News: thunderstorm damage
- Myrtle Beach Online
- Google Scholar: thunderstorm safety precautions
- ABC7 NY
Author: HERE Greenwood
The HERE Greenwood Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenwood community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenwood Our team includes lifelong Greenwood residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent listing of the historic Grier Building, Greenwood’s railroad and textile heritage, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Piedmont Technical College programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
