A tornado warning is rarely a drill, and one hit central South Carolina on Saturday evening. The National Weather Service in Columbia issued a tornado warning at 6:20 PM EDT on October 10 for parts of Lexington, Saluda and Aiken counties.
That warning ran until 6:45 PM. However, a newer one followed, so check the latest alerts before you read any further. We are tracking this tornado warning South Carolina residents woke up to, and the picture is still changing.
Who Is Affected by the Tornado Warning South Carolina Issued
The original warning covered west-central Lexington County, southeastern Saluda County and northeastern Aiken County. According to the National Weather Service alert, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado sat 9 miles south of Batesburg-Leesville at 6:20 PM. It was moving north at 30 mph, and radar also showed rotation.
Forecasters expected the storm near Batesburg-Leesville around 6:25 PM. Meanwhile, other communities named in its path include Hibernia, Kneece, Fredonia and Camp Kinard.
Drivers should take note, too. In fact, the warning covered Interstate 20 between mile markers 34 and 38.
What to Do When a Tornado Alert Is Issued
The instruction from NWS Columbia was blunt: “TAKE COVER NOW!” Here is what that means in practice:
- Get to the lowest floor of a sturdy building.
- Move to an interior room or closet, away from windows.
- Leave mobile homes right away, because the alert warns they can be damaged or destroyed.
- Do not stay in a vehicle. If you are outdoors or driving, get inside a solid building.
The danger is real, not theoretical. The NWS says flying debris will be dangerous to anyone without shelter. As a result, roofs, windows and vehicles will take damage, and tree damage is likely.
Here’s the Thing: The Warning Is Not the Whole Story
A warning that expires at 6:45 PM does not mean the night is over. Local station WLTX reported a new Midlands tornado warning for Lexington, Saluda and Aiken counties running until 7:30 PM. At 7:02 PM, a storm was near Ridge Spring and Batesburg-Leesville, still moving north, now at 25 mph.
So who should still be on alert? Anyone in those counties, until the current warning actually ends.
The cause is bands of rain and wind from the remnants of Hurricane Isaias, as WACH Fox 57 explained. For background on how the storm got here, see our earlier coverage of Isaias as the season’s first hurricane. A Tornado Watch is in effect until 8 PM Saturday for 11 South Carolina counties, including Orangeburg. Flood watches also cover more than half the state.
The Facts on Damage From the SC Tornado Warning
Radar, not eyewitnesses, triggered the 6:20 PM warning. So far, we have found no confirmed reports of damage or injuries in Lexington or Saluda counties.
Earlier in the evening, WRDW in Augusta reported radar-confirmed debris pointing to a tornado on the ground in the New Holland area of Aiken County around 6:10 PM. The station also said it could not tell whether damage on Story Mill Road came from a tornado or straight-line winds. The NWS has not yet announced a survey or rating.
WLTX said forecasters canceled the warning for Aiken County at 6:32 PM and the storm weakened. Even so, that is no reason to relax while the watch is active.
What Happens Next Tonight
Isolated tornado risk continues tonight as tropical bands move north across the Midlands, according to WMBF. Orangeburg County has the best flood potential, with a flood watch running until 8 AM Sunday. This is one piece of a wider pattern, as our report on severe weather across the United States shows.
Keep a charged phone, wireless emergency alerts turned on, and a weather radio nearby. After the storm passes, stay away from downed power lines and damaged trees. Check county emergency management and NWS Columbia for damage reports and any survey plans.
The sky may clear tonight. The cleanup, and the questions about what actually touched down, will not.
Until the current tornado warning South Carolina forecasters issued expires, stay put and stay sheltered. If you want to understand the bigger storm behind it, our Hurricane Isaias update explains how it unfolded.
