News Summary
The National Weather Service has issued urgent thunderstorm warnings for Greenwood and Abbeville counties, forecasting strong storms with damaging winds and hail. Residents have been advised to seek shelter as conditions could lead to hazardous situations, including fallen tree limbs and lightning strikes. Warnings were updated throughout the weekend, with storms moving at 30 mph and risks persisting in the areas. The community is urged to stay indoors during these storms for safety.
Greenwood, SC – The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued urgent thunderstorm warnings for Greenwood and Abbeville counties, forecasting strong storms capable of producing damaging wind gusts and hail. The alerts were updated early Friday morning and again on Saturday afternoon, indicating persistent risks in these areas.
The initial alert was released on Friday at 3:21 a.m. for Greenwood County, warning of strong thunderstorms expected until 3:45 a.m. Doppler radar indicated that storms were located approximately 8 miles south of Greenwood and 8 miles southwest of the Ninety Six Historic Site, moving northeast at 30 mph. These thunderstorms could feature wind gusts reaching up to 40 mph and pea-sized hail measuring 0.25 inches. Residents in affected locations, including Lake Greenwood State Park, Bradley, and Kirksey, have been advised to seek shelter indoors.
The conditions present a risk of gusty winds that could lead to fallen tree limbs and flying debris from unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor items is also anticipated. Individuals near Lake Greenwood are particularly cautioned to exit the water and move to a safe indoor location or vehicle, as lightning can strike within a 10-mile radius of the storm. Historically, approximately 25 million lightning strikes are recorded across the U.S. annually, leading to about 20 fatalities each year.
The threat of thunderstorms persisted into the following day, as the NWS issued a subsequent alert at 2:02 p.m. on Saturday for Greenwood and Abbeville counties, valid until 2:30 p.m. This warning indicated that thunderstorms could generate even stronger wind gusts up to 40 mph and hail the size of marbles, around 0.5 inches in diameter. Doppler radar confirmed the presence of a strong thunderstorm over Abbeville at 2:01 p.m., also moving northeast at 30 mph.
Potential damage areas include Hodges, Donalds, and Lake Greenwood, where similar risks of wind damage and hail are present. Once again, residents have been advised to take shelter indoors during these hazardous weather conditions.
In addition to wind and hail risks, the NWS highlights the increased likelihood of lightning strikes as thunderstorms approach, with the probability peaking when the storm is directly overhead. Drivers are also cautioned about the risk of hydroplaning—an event where vehicles lose traction and slide uncontrollably on wet roads due to water accumulation in front of tires.
The NWS continues to monitor the situation closely, providing updates as necessary, urging vigilance among residents to respond promptly to these weather warnings and prioritize safety during severe weather events.
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Additional Resources
- WSPA: Severe Thunderstorm Causes Major Damage to Lake Greenwood Homes
- Wikipedia: Thunderstorm
- Island Packet: Weather News
- Google Search: Thunderstorm Safety
- Myrtle Beach Online: Weather News
- Google Scholar: Thunderstorm Damage
- Herald Online: Weather News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Severe Weather
- Island Packet: Weather Updates
- Google News: Weather 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.
