COLUMBIA, S.C. — Parts of South Carolina could see severe weather and a chance of a tornado as a large storm system in the Southeast pushes through the state.
The National Weather Service in Columbia had issued a tornado warning for Fairfield Newberry Counties Thursday afternoon but those alerts have now expired.
At 4:53 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located seven miles east of Clinton, or 15 miles east of Laurens, moving east at 50 mph. The cell eventually moved near the town of Whitmire in Newberry County.
It's unclear if a tornado actually touched the ground. There have been no reports of major damage or injuries yet.
This same system has ripped through parts of the Southeast. Tornadoes moving through Alabama have demolished homes near Birmingham and left thousands without power. In the Eagle Point subdivision of Shelby County, Alabama at least one house was reduced to rubble while roofs and second stories were missing from others. Authorities in the city of Pelham are reporting heavy damage as well.
The National Weather Service issued multiple tornado warnings for Alabama and Mississippi. No injuries have been reported thus far, but forecasters said conditions were ripe for “long-track strong tornadoes.” On Wednesday, heavy rains saturated the ground in southwest Mississippi, causing a large tree to topple over onto a mobile home, killing a woman inside.
TORNADO SAFETY TIPS:
Before a Tornado
- Be alert to changing weather conditions.
- Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or to commercial radio or television newscasts for the latest information.
- Look for approaching storms
Look for the following danger signs:
- Dark, often greenish sky
- Large hail
- A large, dark, low-lying cloud (particularly if rotating)
- Loud roar, similar to a freight train
- If you see approaching storms or any of the danger signs, be prepared to take shelter immediately.
During a Tornado
- If you are under a tornado warning, seek shelter immediately.
- Get indoors to a pre-designated shelter area such as a basement, storm cellar or the lowest building level. If there is no basement, go to the center of an interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors and outside walls.
- Shutter windows and outside doors.
- If in a vehicle, trailer or mobile home, get out immediately and go to the lowest floor of a sturdy, nearby building or storm shelter.
- If unable to get indoors, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands. Be aware of potential flooding and flying debris.
- Never try to outrun a tornado in your vehicle. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter.
After a Tornado
- Use the telephone only for emergency calls.
- Avoid downed power lines and report them to your utility company.
- Stay out of damaged buildings.
Additional Tornado Resources
