News Summary

Aiken, South Carolina is dealing with the consequences of severe thunderstorms that caused flooding and lane closures on Interstate 20. Residents are cautioned as further storms are expected. The National Weather Service warns of gusty winds and additional rainfall. Urban flooding has disrupted traffic, and a tragic incident in Banks County resulted in one fatality. A historic church was also destroyed by fire. Meanwhile, a local family is searching for their missing dog amidst the chaos, highlighting the community’s ongoing struggles.

Aiken, South Carolina is grappling with the aftermath of severe thunderstorms that swept through the area this morning, leading to flooding and ongoing lane closures on Interstate 20 due to roadwork. Residents are advised to stay vigilant as storms are expected to continue throughout the day.

Severe thunderstorms are predicted, bringing with them the potential for strong gusty winds. The National Weather Service anticipates gusts reaching up to 50 mph, particularly affecting nearby counties such as Chesterfield, Kershaw, Richland, Lee, Sumter, Calhoun, and Clarendon. Rainfall has already accumulated between 1 and 2.5 inches, with an additional 1 to 2 inches forecasted, prompting an 80% chance of rain this morning that dwindles to 50% overnight. A Flood Advisory remains in effect for portions of east-central Georgia and central South Carolina, including Aiken and Barnwell counties, until 4:30 AM EDT.

The severe weather has created urban and small stream flooding conditions, resulting in significant traffic impacts in Aiken County. Lane closures on Interstate 20 have been in place since June 10 between Mile Markers 40 and 43, with daytime work scheduled from 7 AM to 4 PM until June 12. Additionally, nighttime lane closures will occur between Mile Markers 3 and 5 and are set to continue until July.

Further south, a tragic incident in Banks County, Georgia, resulted in one fatality when a tree fell on a vehicle during the severe storm. The storms have also caused about 4,000 power outages among Dominion Energy customers and approximately 2,000 outages among Georgia Power customers due to downed lines and equipment damage.

The community of Aiken is also mourning the loss of a historic landmark. The Susan Union Baptist church was destroyed by a fire on Sunday night, an establishment that had served as a place of worship for over a century. Community members are now searching through the rubble for the church’s treasured bell.

Amidst the storms and flooding, a local family is desperately searching for their missing dog, Russell, a Jack Russell terrier. Russell has been missing since June 1 after he chased a cat down a storm drain. The family is offering a $5,000 reward for his safe return and has conducted multiple community searches to locate him, though results have been unsuccessful thus far.

As Aiken County continues to face hazardous weather conditions, residents are advised to remain alert, avoid unnecessary travel, and keep informed of updates regarding road closures and weather alerts. The community’s resilience is being tested, and the recovery process is expected to take time as recovery efforts begin for both the environment and those affected by the storms.

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Author: hereaiken