News Summary
Greenwood County is under a severe weather alert due to thunderstorms expected to bring wind gusts up to 40 mph and marble-sized hail. The National Weather Service advises residents to seek shelter immediately. Additionally, power outages have been reported affecting over 1,200 customers. Heavy rainfall may lead to localized flooding, and hydroplaning poses a risk on wet roads. The NWS indicates that hazardous weather conditions are expected to cease shortly after midday.
Greenwood County is currently under a severe weather alert due to strong thunderstorms forecasted by the National Weather Service (NWS) Greenville-Spartanburg. The alert was issued at 5:39 p.m. on Thursday, with storm activity expected until approximately 6:15 p.m.
The thunderstorms are predicted to bring wind gusts up to 40 mph and marble-sized hail, measuring half an inch in diameter. At the time of the report, Doppler radar detected a significant thunderstorm positioned 12 miles southeast of Greenwood and 7 miles south of the Ninety Six Historic Site, advancing eastward at 20 mph.
As a precaution, the NWS recommends that anyone outdoors seek shelter immediately due to the potential for hazardous conditions created by these storms. Notably, gusty winds could lead to downed tree limbs and the movement of unsecured items, while the possibility of minor hail damage to outdoor possessions exists. Additionally, the storm is producing heavy rainfall that may contribute to localized flooding, so drivers are advised against navigating flooded roadways.
Accompanying these storms are frequent instances of cloud-to-ground lightning, which can convey risks as far as 10 miles away from the storm’s center. While it is estimated that approximately 25 million lightning strikes occur annually across the United States, such events are responsible for around 20 fatalities each year. The risk of lightning strikes escalates as a thunderstorm nears, with peak risk occurring when the storm is directly overhead.
Hydroplaning is another danger associated with these conditions. This driving hazard occurs when water pressure builds in front of tires, causing vehicles to slide uncontrollably on the wet roads. Hydroplaning risks are heightened by multiple factors, which may include tire tread depth, vehicle speed, and road conditions.
In response to weather disturbances earlier on Thursday morning, Duke Energy reported power outages impacting over 1,200 customers as a result of falling trees and limbs damaging electrical equipment. Outages were primarily noted along Highways 246 and 248, extending down Highway 25 past Callison. By 11:30 a.m., the number of customers affected had reduced to 788, with repairs and restoration work expected to be completed by approximately 11 p.m. that evening.
Another area affected by power outages included South Main Street in Greenwood up to Ninety Six, which saw disruptions impacting 1,199 customers, with an expected restoration time of 2 p.m. on Friday. Additionally, Greenwood CPW experienced a minor issue involving blown line fuses that affected around 100 customers for a short duration of one hour. As of 9:45 a.m. Thursday, there was only one significant outstanding outage impacting properties within the Greenwood Metropolitan District.
According to the NWS’s midday update, individuals can expect the rain to taper off by midday. No further hazardous weather conditions are anticipated in the following days. Residents are advised to remain alert to changing weather conditions and to prioritize safety during this time.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Greenwood County, SC
Homicide of Missing Woman Shakes Greenwood County Community
Thunderstorm Warning in Greenwood County
Flash Floods Devastate Kerr County, Texas
Snow Flurries Hit Upstate South Carolina with Winter Hazards
Tropical Storm Chantal Hits the Southeast U.S. Coast
Weather and Construction Updates for Greenwood Residents
Tropical Depression Three Forms Off The Southeast Coast
Severe Weather Alert Issued for Greenwood, SC
York County Weather Alert for Strong Thunderstorms
Additional Resources
- Index Journal: Thunderstorms Leave Thousands Without Power
- Wikipedia: Thunderstorm
- Herald Online: Weather News
- Google Search: Severe Weather
- WFXG: Weather Update
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Lightning
- Island Packet: Weather News
- Google News: Thunderstorm Alerts
Author: HERE Greenwood
The GREENWOOD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGreenwood.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Greenwood, Greenwood 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 Festival of Flowers, Greenwood Community Theatre performances, and agricultural showcases at the Greenwood County Fairgrounds. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Greenwood United Ministry, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as FujiFilm Manufacturing and Self Regional Healthcare. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
