News Summary
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Aiken County, alerting residents to seek shelter as the storm brought wind gusts of up to 60 mph and quarter-sized hail. Significant locations affected included Aiken, Gloverville, and the University of South Carolina Aiken. The storm follows previous severe weather in the region, exacerbating concerns of flooding as South Carolina faces ongoing drought conditions. Authorities recommend staying informed and prepared as more severe weather is anticipated in the upcoming days.
Aiken, SC – A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Aiken County at 3:27 p.m. on Wednesday, with alerts in effect until 4 p.m. Local residents were advised to take shelter as the storm approached, bringing wind gusts upwards of 60 mph and quarter-sized hail. The National Weather Service (NWS) reported that the storm was situated over Aiken Municipal Airport, moving eastward at a pace of 10 mph.
Significant locations impacted by the warning included Aiken, Aiken Mall, Citizens Park, Gloverville, Aiken State Park, and the University of South Carolina Aiken, among others. Residents along Interstate 20, particularly between mile markers 15 and 31, were also in the storm’s path.
Authorities recommended that individuals seek refuge in interior rooms on the lowest floors of buildings due to the risks posed by hail damage and severe lightning, noting that around 25 million lightning strikes occur annually across the U.S., resulting in approximately 20 fatalities each year. Moreover, the risk of hydroplaning was highlighted, with wet road conditions leading to dangerous driving situations.
This storm comes in the wake of a deadly weather system that struck the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) the previous Saturday, resulting in one fatality in Banks County, Georgia, when a tree fell on a vehicle. Similarly, Aiken County reported significant power outages during the storm, with about 4,000 Dominion Energy customers experiencing blackouts, while another 2,000 Georgia Power customers were affected.
Damage reports from Wednesday’s storms indicated downed trees blocking roads, particularly in the Rapids neighborhood off River Bluff Drive in North Augusta, and debris from a shed impacting local roadways. Following the incidents, Georgia’s Governor extended condolences to the family of the deceased from the earlier storm and expressed appreciation for the efforts of first responders in managing the consequences of severe weather.
As a precautionary measure, a FIRST ALERT remains active for the following days, anticipating continued severe weather, including thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. This is particularly concerning given that an EF1 tornado struck Aiken County early on Monday morning, with wind speeds reaching up to 90 mph.
Recent rainfall totals recorded at Columbia Metropolitan Airport reached 2.86 inches on Monday alone, contributing to cumulative rainfall estimates of 2.00 to 4.00 inches across South Carolina over a three-day period. Some areas in the state have even reported accumulations of up to 10.00 inches, raising concerns about flooding and the ongoing drought conditions in the region.
Currently, over 87% of South Carolina is experiencing some level of drought, making the recent rains a pivotal factor in potentially altering these conditions. As the region braces for further weather developments, residents are encouraged to stay informed and prepared for any future storms.
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Additional Resources
- Island Packet
- Wikipedia: Severe Weather
- WRDW
- Google Search: Thunderstorm Safety
- WLTX
- Google Scholar: Tornado Impact
- The State
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Storm
- WJBF
- Google News: Severe Weather Updates
- WFXG
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.
