News Summary
Georgetown County is under a severe thunderstorm alert, with conditions expected to include marble-sized hail and strong winds. The National Weather Service has warned residents of potential hazards, including downed tree limbs and lightning strikes. This alert is active until 6:45 p.m., affecting several areas including Georgetown Memorial Hospital and Lambert. Safety precautions are advised as the Storm Prediction Center rates the severe weather outlook at a 3 out of 5. Residents should stay informed and seek shelter during this stormy weather.
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Hit Georgetown County
If you’re in Georgetown County, it’s best to grab your umbrella and head indoors as the National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm alert. This advisory kicked off on Saturday around 6:10 p.m. and will stay in effect until 6:45 p.m. It covers both Inland and Coastal Georgetown as well as parts of Williamsburg County, so keep your eyes peeled!
What Can You Expect?
Let’s talk about what conditions you can expect during this storm. Brace for some marble-sized hail, measuring about 0.5 inches, along with wind gusts reaching up to 40 mph. Pretty intense, right? Doppler radar has been tracking a cluster of strong thunderstorms located near Trio, which is about 18 miles south of Kingstree. This storm is moving southeast at a speed of 25 mph, so it’s moving fast!
Stay Safe Out There!
Safety is key during weather like this, so be cautious! Those gusty winds could potentially knock down tree limbs and toss around any unsecured items in your yard. Minor hail damage is also a possibility, particularly for any tender vegetation you might have out front. The alert has highlighted several areas that could face the brunt of the storm, including Georgetown Memorial Hospital, Lambert, North Santee, Sampit, Graves, Trio, Earle, Andrews, and, of course, Georgetown.
If you’re outside, it’s a great idea to seek shelter indoors right away. This storm could create conditions that are favorable for weak, brief funnel clouds, which can bring along some serious wind gusts exceeding 50 mph. Lightning is also a massive concern as this storm continues to roll through. Continuous cloud-to-ground lightning can be deadly, which makes it super important to get indoors. After all, lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times a year, with 20 fatalities reported on average each year due to these strikes.
Hydroplaning Awareness
As rain pours down, there’s another important thing to consider: hydroplaning. This occurs when a vehicle loses traction on a wet road surface. It’s crucial to stay informed of causes and safety measures when driving during these storms, so take a moment to brush up on how to navigate safely!
Weather Conditions Still Shifting
For the record, Georgetown County recently saw its last remaining tornado watch expire on Wednesday afternoon. Prior to that, a severe thunderstorm watch was issued for 25 counties across South Carolina, including places like Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester Counties.
Reported wind gusts at Charleston International Airport reached a staggering 55 mph, while other spots like Summerville and Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station reported slightly lower gusts. Unfortunately, nearly 20,000 power outages were logged in Berkeley County due to the ferocious wind gusts. Talk about a weather rollercoaster!
What’s Next?
The Storm Prediction Center has upped the severe weather outlook to a 3 out of 5, which indicates an enhanced risk for our area. Expect additional scattered storms and heavy rain to continue through Friday, but don’t worry! Enjoy a drier and hotter weekend pattern starting soon!
So keep your loved ones close, stay updated, and stay safe during this wild weather! Georgetown County, it’s time to hunker down!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Myrtle Beach Weather Forecast: Warm Days and Weekend Storms
Severe Thunderstorm Alert for Georgetown and Williamsburg Counties
Myrtle Beach Weekend Weather: Prepare for Variability!
Myrtle Beach Faces Severe Weather Threats with Tropical Storm Warning
Weather Whirlwinds: Myrtle Beach’s April Dry Spell and Storm Alerts
Severe Thunderstorms Predicted in Georgetown This Weekend
Severe Thunderstorm Alerts Hit South Carolina: What You Need to Know
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued for Tennessee Valley and Indiana
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued for Myrtle Beach
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Issued for Myrtle Beach
Additional Resources
- Count On 2: Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Georgetown & Williamsburg
- Wikipedia: Severe Weather and Thunderstorms
- KVUE: Hail Storm Hits Georgetown & Round Rock
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hail
- Live 5 News: Tornado Watch Effect in Lowcountry
- Google News: Severe Thunderstorm Warnings
- Count On 2: Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued
- Google Search: Weather Safety Tips
- MLive: Crews Respond After Severe Thunderstorm
- Google Scholar: Thunderstorm Safety
Author: STAFF HERE FLORENCE WRITER
FLORENCE STAFF WRITER The FLORENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREFlorence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Florence, Florence 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 Florence Festival of Lights, Pee Dee Pride, and agricultural expos at the Florence Center. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Florence Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pee Dee Area Council of Governments, plus leading businesses in healthcare and retail that power the local economy such as McLeod Health and Pee Dee Electric Cooperative. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
