Strong Thunderstorm Alert for Columbia, SC Residents
Hey there, Columbia! It seems like Mother Nature is planning to make quite the entrance this evening. The National Weather Service has issued an updated weather alert, which went into effect at 5:35 p.m. on Thursday. This alert is for strong thunderstorms expected to rumble through our area until 6:15 p.m. So, if you’re in Newberry, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, or Richland counties, you might want to pay close attention.
What’s Happening?
As of 5:34 p.m., the Doppler radar was tracking a significant thunderstorm near Jenkinsville, just about 7 miles southeast of the VC Summer Nuclear Station. The storm is moving east at 40 mph, and it’s bringing some power with it. Residents can expect winds gusting up to 50 mph. Sounds intense, right? Winds this strong can easily knock down tree limbs and toss around unsecured objects, so it’s a good idea to secure anything that could become a projectile.
Where Should You Be Concerned?
The areas impacted by this alert include familiar spots like Columbia, Irmo, Forest Acres, Camden, Dentsville, and St. Andrews. Other locations like Arcadia Lakes, Lugoff, Villages at Sandhill, and even the scenic Harbison State Forest and Sesquicentennial State Park are also in the line of fire. If you’re out driving, be cautious on the highways: Interstate 20 between mile markers 68 and 92, Interstate 26 between 87 and 103, and Interstate 77 between 14 and 31 could all see rough weather conditions.
Safety Precautions to Take
What’s your go-to move when the weather gets rough? The NWS has some solid advice. If you’re outside, **consider seeking shelter inside a building** right away! If you happen to be near Lake Murray or any body of water, it’s smart to get out of the water and head indoors or hop into a vehicle. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you could be in danger of lightning strikes, which can travel up to 10 miles from the storm itself. It’s a good reminder that sometimes it’s safer to play it smart than to take unnecessary risks.
More on Lightning
Did you know that lightning strikes the United States around 25 million times annually? Most of these strikes happen during the summer months. Sadly, they can lead to about 20 fatalities each year due to lightning. The likelihood of a lightning strike increases as the storm approaches and peaks when it’s directly above you, but it begins to lessen once the storm moves away. So if the sky starts rumbling in your area, take heed!
What is Hydroplaning?
Now, switching gears a bit, it’s essential to know about safety on the roads when wet weather hits. You may have heard the term “hydroplaning” but might not know exactly what it means. Hydroplaning occurs when there’s so much water on the road that your tires can’t push that water away fast enough. Instead, the tires begin to ride on top of the water, making it nearly impossible to steer or stop your vehicle. This can be particularly dangerous, and it’s typically caused by three main factors: excess water on the roadway, tire conditions, and vehicle speed.
If You Hydroplane
If you find yourself in a situation where your vehicle starts to hydroplane, remember to stay calm. Pull your foot off the accelerator, avoid sudden turns or hard braking, and let your vehicle slow down naturally. Once you regain traction, you can then gently steer your vehicle back onto your intended path.
So, Columbia, keep your windshields clean and your wipers ready! Stay safe, and let’s hope the storm passes quickly. Always check the weather updates and keep yourself informed. Together, we can weather any storm!
Author: STAFF HERE NEWBERRY
The NEWBERRY STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewberry.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Newberry, Newberry 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 Newberry Opera House performances, Newberry Arts Fest, and the Newberry County Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Newberry County Chamber of Commerce and the Newberry Museum, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and agriculture that power the local economy such as Amick Farms and Newberry Mills. 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.
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