News Summary
South Carolina has been hit by severe thunderstorms, resulting in significant flooding and damage, including a confirmed EF1 tornado in Aiken County. The National Weather Service reported storms with wind gusts up to 60 mph and heavy rainfall, leading to emergencies in multiple counties. Aiken and surrounding areas were particularly affected, with intense storm activity causing damage to infrastructure. Despite the challenges, the rainfall has alleviated some drought conditions in the state. Residents are urged to exercise caution amid ongoing severe weather forecasts.
Columbia, SC – Severe thunderstorms and flooding have been affecting South Carolina recently, with an EF1 tornado confirmed in Aiken County. This powerful storm system unleashed destructive winds, heavy rainfall, and hazardous weather conditions, leading to emergencies across several counties.
The National Weather Service (NWS) Columbia issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Aiken and Edgefield counties on July 4. These storms, packing wind gusts up to 60 mph and penny-sized hail of 0.75 inches, posed serious risks to safety and property in the region. The NWS observed a particularly intense storm located over Belvedere at approximately 9:37 p.m. on that day, which was nearly stationary and predicted to cause damage to trees and power lines.
Areas hit hardest included Aiken, North Augusta, and neighboring locations, notably affecting Interstate 20 and Interstate 520 in South Carolina. Weather reports indicated that on July 4, strong thunderstorms were pulling through Orangeburg, Lexington, Aiken, and Barnwell counties, with wind gusts reaching up to 50 mph until 9 p.m. Doppler radar identified additional storm activity moving southwest at 20 mph near Aiken State Park earlier that evening.
Tragically, the severe weather culminated in a confirmed EF1 tornado that struck Aiken County early on July 6, reaching peak winds of 90 mph. This tornado added to the violent weather impacting the region, compounded by flooding caused by heavy rainfall. Columbia Metropolitan Airport recorded an extraordinary 2.86 inches of rainfall on July 6 alone. Furthermore, areas along the Savannah River reportedly received between 7 to 10 inches of rain over three days, contributing significantly to localized flooding.
The severe weather alluded to a positive side as well, with the three-day rainfall alleviating some drought conditions in South Carolina, where over 87% of the state had been suffering from drought conditions prior to the storms.
As severe thunderstorms persisted, a watch continued to be in effect until midnight on July 6 for east-central Georgia and central South Carolina. Residents were urged to exercise caution, especially during periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms. Pools of standing water on roads can create risks such as hydroplaning, where vehicles slide uncontrollably due to water pressure. The top contributors to this dangerous situation include excessive speed, worn tires, and standing water on roads. Safety recommendations highlight the importance of seeking shelter indoors during thunderstorms to avoid injury.
In the community, St. John’s Methodist Church held a combined worship service on July 6, incorporating patriotic music and a salute to veterans, symbolizing resilience and unity amid the severe weather challenges.
Due to the nature of thunderstorms, lightning remains a significant concern, with the National Weather Service estimating about 25 million lightning strikes occur annually in the U.S. and approximately 20 fatalities attributed to these strikes each year during the summer months. Precautionary measures are essential for personal safety during such unpredictable weather events.
Looking ahead, the weather forecast for July 7, 2025, predicts sunny to partly cloudy conditions with a high temperature of 96°F and light southwestern winds from 5 to 10 mph. However, residents should remain alert for possible stray showers or thunderstorms, keeping safety as a priority in the aftermath of the recent severe weather.
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Additional Resources
- Island Packet
- Wikipedia: Severe Thunderstorm
- Myrtle Beach Online
- Google Search: Thunderstorm Hazards
- WLTX
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Thunderstorm
- Augusta Chronicle
- Google News: Tornado Warnings South Carolina
Author: STAFF HERE AIKEN
The AIKEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAiken.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Aiken, Aiken 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 Aiken Horse Show, Aiken Bluegrass Festival, and polo matches at Whitney Field. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Aiken Chamber of Commerce and the Aiken County Historical Museum, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and tourism that power the local economy such as Bridgestone and the Aiken County Visitors Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
