USA: Severe Thunderstorms with Damaging Winds

Stay Alert: Wind Gusts Up to 60 mph Expected

The National Weather Service (NWS) Greenville-Spartanburg SC has issued an urgent severe thunderstorm warning for Greenwood and Spartanburg counties this Sunday morning. The latest update, issued at 6:15 a.m., warns of damaging winds reaching up to 60 mph, with the warning in effect until 6:30 a.m.

Storm Details:

At 6:15 a.m., a line of severe thunderstorms was detected moving east at a staggering 75 mph. These storms were positioned:

• 7 miles southwest of Spartanburg
• 9 miles northwest of Laurens
• 10 miles southwest of Abbeville

Areas in the Danger Zone:

If you’re in or near any of the following locations, take immediate precautions:

• Greenwood
• Laurens
• Union
• Abbeville
• Clinton
• Woodruff
• Ware Shoals
• Calhoun Falls
• Monarch Mill
• Ninety Six

What You Need to Do:

🚨 Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.
🌪 Tornado Threat: Conditions are favorable for brief, weak tornadoes. Take shelter immediately!
⚡ Power Outage Risks: Expect possible damage to trees and power lines.

Lightning Safety: How to Stay Protected

Did you know lightning strikes the U.S. around 25 million times a year? Most of these occur during summer storms, causing about 20 fatalities annually, according to the NWS.

Lightning Safety Tips:

✅ Have an escape plan: If you’re outdoors and a storm is approaching, seek shelter immediately.
✅ Find a safe place: Stay indoors, away from corded phones, electrical equipment, plumbing, windows, and doors.
✅ Wait it out: Stay inside for at least 30 minutes after the last lightning strike or thunderclap.

If You Can’t Get Indoors:

🚫 Avoid open fields, hilltops, or isolated trees.
🌳 If in a forest, stay close to shorter trees rather than tall, isolated ones.
🚶 If in a group, spread out to minimize the risk of lightning striking multiple people.
🏕 If camping, set up in a valley, ravine, or low area—but remember, a tent won’t protect you from lightning!
💧 Stay away from water, wet items, and metal objects—they conduct electricity!

Driving in Stormy Weather? Stay Safe with These Tips!

🚘 Turn on your headlights—even during the day, visibility is crucial.
🛣 Stick to middle lanes and higher ground to avoid pooling water.
⚠ Beware of puddles! Hydroplaning can cause loss of control.
🚛 Keep your distance from large vehicles—they create water spray, reducing visibility.
🌊 Avoid flooded roads—if you see water covering the road, turn around. Even shallow floods can sweep vehicles away or damage your car’s engine and electrical system.

Final Reminder:

This severe thunderstorm warning remains in effect until 6:30 a.m. Stay safe, stay informed, and take precautions now!

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