News Summary
This week, severe thunderstorms swept through the western Carolinas, particularly impacting Spartanburg County. Strong winds, hail, and flooding warnings led to widespread power outages, with Duke Energy reporting significant disruptions. Emergency management agencies noted extensive damage, including downed trees and power lines. Public facilities temporarily closed, and a shelter was opened for affected residents. The National Weather Service continues to issue warnings while advising residents on safety measures during thunderstorms.
Spartanburg, SC – Severe thunderstorms swept through the western Carolinas this week, resulting in damage and widespread power outages. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued severe thunderstorm alerts for multiple counties, warning residents of strong winds, hail, and the potential for flooding.
The first major alert was issued for Spartanburg County on Saturday at 10:55 p.m., forecasting strong thunderstorms until 11:30 p.m. The warning specified possible wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea-sized hail of about 0.25 inches. Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm located about 10 miles north of Spartanburg, near Boiling Springs, moving southwest at 10 mph as of 10:53 p.m. Residents in Boiling Springs, Inman, Lake Bowen, and Fingerville were advised to seek shelter indoors due to the storms.
Following up on Saturday’s warning, a severe thunderstorm warning was also declared on Monday, July 28, at 4:17 p.m., for Central Spartanburg County. The Monday alert indicated winds that could reach as strong as 60 mph and hail up to 1 inch in size. This warning remained in effect until 4:45 p.m. The identified storm was located 6 miles south of Spartanburg, near Roebuck, moving southeast at 15 mph. The storm caused significant wind damage to trees and power lines, along with minor hail damage to vehicles in affected areas like Roebuck, Moore, Pauline, and Croft State Park.
As a result of the severe weather, Duke Energy reported numerous power outages throughout the region, and restoration times were estimated between noon and 7 p.m. the following day. Many public facilities, such as ACAC Greenville and Adventure Central, temporarily closed due to power outages stemming from fallen trees.
Emergency management agencies reported extensive damage, with downed trees and power lines in Easley, Pickens County, and Spartanburg County. Over 40 calls for service related to storm damage were recorded in Spartanburg County. A shelter was opened overnight at 701 Saxon Avenue for residents without power, providing assistance until 7 a.m. Thursday.
Additionally, Cherokee County reported numerous incidents of downed trees and power lines, while Rutherford County had approximately 1,500 Duke Energy customers without power. McDowell County also reported similar issues. Quarter-sized hail was reported in several areas, including Henderson County.
The NWS continues to monitor the weather and has provided safety recommendations for residents during thunderstorms. Each year in the United States, around 25 million lightning strikes occur, leading to approximately 20 fatalities associated with these strikes. Safety tips include seeking immediate shelter indoors when a thunderstorm approaches, as risks increase significantly when storms are overhead.
The NWS also highlighted the dangers of hydroplaning during heavy rains, which occurs when a vehicle cannot displace water on the road quickly enough, leading to uncontrollable sliding. Key factors contributing to hydroplaning include vehicle speed, water depth on the road, and tire tread depth. Drivers are urged to exercise caution during wet conditions.
In summary, the severe thunderstorms over the western Carolinas have caused considerable disruption, with numerous reports of damage and continued power outages affecting thousands of residents. Authorities recommend staying informed and heeding weather alerts to ensure safety during unpredictable storm conditions.
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Additional Resources
- Herald Online: Severe Thunderstorm Sweeps Through
- Wikipedia: Thunderstorm
- Go Upstate: Spartanburg County Thunderstorm Warning
- Google Search: Severe Thunderstorms in Carolinas
- Fox Carolina: Damage Reported During Severe Storms
- Google Scholar: Severe Thunderstorms Impact
- Island Packet: Thunderstorm Impact Report
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Thunderstorm
Author: STAFF HERE SPARTANBURG
The SPARTANBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESpartanburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Spartanburg, Spartanburg 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 Spartanburg International Festival, Spartanburg ArtWalk, and motorsport events at Spartanburg Speedway. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and textiles that power the local economy such as BMW Manufacturing and Milliken & Company. 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.
