Storms Hit the CSRA Today
Dark clouds and lightning promise poor and dangerous weather.
Severe storms hit the CSRA today, as predicted. Some areas were pelted with heavy rain for hours causing flooding issues. High winds downed trees and power lines across Georgia and South Carolina counties in the CSRA, leaving thousands without power.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 6 pm for the entire CSRA
Damage and Power Outages:
- Nearly 10,000 people were left without power in Columbia County late this morning. The largest outage was reported near Canterbury Farms in Grovetown after a tree fell on a power line just before 1 pm.
- A tree fell on a house in the 4400 block of Whisperwood Drive in Martinez. No injuries reported
- Tree limbs were down and blocking various roads in Evans, Martinez, Harlem and Grovetown
- Water mains broke at Wallace Street and Laney Walker Boulevard in Augusta, and near North Wheeler Parkway just west of Bobby Jones Expressway
- Flooding near the 5th Street Bridge in Augusta
- Lighting struck a home in the 8200 block of Gregory Road in Aiken County just before noon
- Trees were reported down in various areas of Burke, Lincoln, Edgefield, Saluda and Washington counties
- Bamberg County was hard hit by the storm. At least two buildings collapsed, many trees were uprooted and debris was scattered across the area. The National Weather Service will evaluate the area tomorrow to determine whether a tornado touched down there.
A wind advisory has been issued for all counties in the CSRA.
Counties Under Wind Advisory until 10 pm today:
- Aiken
- Bamberg
- Barnwell
- Burke
- Columbia
- Edgefield
- Lincoln
- McCormick
- McDuffie
- Richmond Saluda
Counties Under Wind Advisory Until 1 pm Wednesday:
- Emanuel
- Glascock
- Hancock
- Jefferson
- Johnson
- Taliaferro
- Warren
- Washington
- Wilkes
South winds are expected to be 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected in the wind advisory areas. Gusty winds will blow unsecured objects around. Trees can be uprooted and expect tree limbs to come down. Power outages are also likely.
Flood Advisory
Urban and small stream flooding is expected in Aiken , Barnwell, Edgefield and Saluda counties
- Doppler radar and rain gauges indicated heavy rain, as much as two inches, at 1:30 pm. Overflowing poor drainage areas will cause minor flooding in the advisory area. Any additional rain will result in minor flooding.
Areas Expected to Experience Flooding:
- Aiken
- Columbia
- Newberry, Batesburg-Leesville,
- Barnwell
Surviving Thunderstorms: 5 Don'ts You Must Remember
Thunderstorms can be both fascinating and scary, with their electrifying displays of lightning and booming thunder. However, not everyone knows that there are certain things you’re not supposed to do when there’s a thunderstorm.
During the summer months, thunderstorms occur frequently due to the high humidity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 73 percent of lightning-related fatalities occur in June, July, and August. According to the National Weather Service, an excess of moisture in the atmosphere, atmospheric instability, and a triggering mechanism are the conditions that lead to thunderstorms. When these elements are combined, they can unleash a powerful symphony of heavy rainfall, thunder, lightning, strong winds, and even hail.
Being prepared for thunderstorms
The American Red Cross has some advice on how to get ready for those wild summer thunderstorms. Taking preventive measures like subscribing to local government emergency alerts, equipping your home with backup batteries, and devising a family plan for hazardous weather situations can all prove invaluable during emergencies.
Thunderstorm myths and misconceptions
When it comes to thunderstorms, there are plenty of myths and misconceptions about what you should avoid doing. One of the most common misconceptions is that wearing rubber-soled shoes or being inside a car with rubber tires makes us immune to lightning strikes. Unfortunately, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Lightning can still travel through the ground or the metal frame of a car, even if it has rubber tires.
Many people believe that as long as they’re not directly under the storm cloud, they are safe from lightning strikes. However, lightning bolts can extend horizontally for significant distances, reaching as far as 10 miles away from the storm. And also keep in mind that trees, especially tall ones, are prime targets for lightning strikes due to their height and conductivity.
Along with getting prepared and knowing thunderstorm myths, you have to know what not to do during a thunderstorm.
Here are 5 things you should never do during a thunderstorm.
Mary Liz is the News Director and Co-Host of Augusta’s Morning News on WGAC. She spent 11 years as a News Director at an Indiana Radio Station. She has also worked as a former Police and Courts Reporter for The Republic Newspaper and Assistant Marketing Director of Merchants National Bank in Indianapolis. Mary Liz focuses most on local breaking news stories, feature stories on upcoming events, or community-service related organizations and the people who serve them. She has been with WGAC since 1995.
