Alert archive / South Carolina / Tornado Warnings in 2024
Tornado Warning 7, NWS Columbia, SC
NWS Columbia, SC issued this tornado warning at May 9, 2024, 3:16 AM EDT for Fairfield County, Kershaw County, Richland County, South Carolina. It was in force for 29 min. 10 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.
The facts
- Issued
- May 9, 2024, 3:16 AM EDT (07:16 UTC)
- Expired
- May 9, 2024, 3:45 AM EDT
- In force
- 29 min
- Issued by
- NWS Columbia, SC
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Tornado
- Radar indicated
- Hail
- 0.75 in
Counties Fairfield County, SC, Kershaw County, SC, Richland County, SC
The radar
The Columbia radar (KCAE), 40 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 07:20 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
What was reported inside it
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 9, 3:17 AM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 7 Wsw Winnsboro, SC | Fairfield County Dispatch reported trees down in the 7489 block of Hwy 213. Time estimated by radar. |
| May 9, 3:31 AM EDT | TORNADO | 3 Ssw Ridgeway, SC | A National Weather Service storm survey team confirmed an EF-1 tornado with peak winds of 100 mph in southeastern Fairfield County during the early morning hours of May 9th. The tornado likely began west of Interstate 77 near Exit 32. The tornado moved general |
| May 9, 3:33 AM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 3 Sw Ridgeway, SC | Trained spotter reported numerous trees down along Hood Rd through the intersection with Boney Rd. Time estimated from radar. |
| May 9, 3:34 AM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | Ridgeway, SC | Report of a tree down and minor damage to a home in Ridgeway. Report via social media. Time estimated by radar. |
| May 9, 3:36 AM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 2 Sse Ridgeway, SC | Trained spotter reported trees down and heavy damage between Ridgeway and the county line. Time estimated by radar. |
| May 9, 3:38 AM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 4 Ene Blythewood, SC | SC Dept of Public Safety reported a tree in roadway. Time estimated by radar. |
| May 9, 3:45 AM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 6 S Longtown, SC | Emergency Manager reports a downed tree on Smyrna Church Rd at Smyrna Rd blocking the roadway. |
| May 9, 3:49 AM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 3 Nne Elgin, SC | Kershaw County Fire reported a tree down at the intersection of Smyrna Rd and Ashley Creek. Time estimated based on radar. |
| May 9, 3:52 AM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | 4 E Elgin, SC | Kershaw County Fire reports a tree down blocking roadway. Time estimated based on radar. |
| May 9, 3:53 AM EDT | TSTM WND DMG | Lugoff, SC | Kershaw County Fire reports a tree down on a home in Lugoff. Time estimated based on radar. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
The nearest sounding before it
Charleston AFB, SC (KCHS), launched 00:00Z, 7.3 hours before the alert went out and 184 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 1364 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -52 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1141 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 36 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 22 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 66 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.2
- Supercell composite
- 1.4
The text
As transmitted.
862
WFUS52 KCAE 090716
TORCAE
SCC039-055-079-090745-
/O.NEW.KCAE.TO.W.0007.240509T0716Z-240509T0745Z/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Columbia SC
316 AM EDT Thu May 9 2024
The National Weather Service in Columbia has issued a
* Tornado Warning for...
Central Fairfield County in central South Carolina...
North central Richland County in central South Carolina...
Southwestern Kershaw County in central South Carolina...
* Until 345 AM EDT.
* At 316 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Monticello, or 7 miles northeast of VC Summer
Nuclear Station, moving east at 60 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.
Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree
damage is likely.
* This dangerous storm will be near...
Winnsboro and Fairfield County Airport around 320 AM EDT.
Longtown around 330 AM EDT.
Elgin, Lugoff, Elgin, and Lake Carolina around 335 AM EDT.
Lake Wateree Dam around 345 AM EDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Rion,
Winnsboro Mills, Blythewood, Pine Grove Fire Station, Fairfield
Elementary School, Lebanon Fire Station, Smallwood, Ridgeway, and
Fairfield County Detention Center.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 84 and 90.
Interstate 77 between mile markers 26 and 39.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a
vehicle, move to an interior room or closet on the lowest floor of a
sturdy building immediately.
This cluster of thunderstorms is capable of producing tornadoes and
widespread significant wind damage. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest
floor of a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3433 8133 3444 8126 3432 8062 3410 8075
TIME...MOT...LOC 0716Z 287DEG 50KT 3435 8121
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
PL2 follow-up statements
111
WWUS52 KCAE 090729
SVSCAE
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
329 AM EDT Thu May 9 2024
SCC039-055-079-090745-
/O.CON.KCAE.TO.W.0007.000000T0000Z-240509T0745Z/
Fairfield SC-Richland SC-Kershaw SC-
329 AM EDT Thu May 9 2024
...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 AM EDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN FAIRFIELD...NORTH CENTRAL RICHLAND AND SOUTHWESTERN
KERSHAW COUNTIES...
At 329 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado
was located near Fairfield County Airport, or near Springdale, moving
east at 55 mph.
HAZARD...Tornado.
SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without
shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage
to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is
likely.
This dangerous storm will be near...
Lake Carolina and Longtown around 335 AM EDT.
Elgin, Lugoff, and Elgin around 340 AM EDT.
Lake Wateree Dam around 345 AM EDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Rion,
Winnsboro Mills, Blythewood, Pine Grove Fire Station, Fairfield
Elementary School, Smallwood, Ridgeway, and Fairfield County
Detention Center.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 84 and 90.
Interstate 77 between mile markers 26 and 39.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
TAKE COVER NOW! If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a
vehicle, move to an interior room or closet on the lowest floor of a
sturdy building immediately.
This cluster of thunderstorms is capable of producing tornadoes and
widespread significant wind damage. Do not wait to see or hear the
tornado. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest
floor of a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3427 8119 3441 8110 3432 8062 3410 8075
TIME...MOT...LOC 0729Z 287DEG 47KT 3430 8103
TORNADO...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
$$
PL912 WWUS52 KCAE 090740 SVSCAE Severe Weather Statement National Weather Service Columbia SC 340 AM EDT Thu May 9 2024 SCC039-055-079-090749- /O.EXP.KCAE.TO.W.0007.000000T0000Z-240509T0745Z/ Fairfield SC-Richland SC-Kershaw SC- 340 AM EDT Thu May 9 2024 ...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN FAIRFIELD...NORTH CENTRAL RICHLAND AND SOUTHWESTERN KERSHAW COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 345 AM EDT... The tornado threat has diminished and the Tornado Warning has been cancelled. However, large hail and damaging winds remain likely and a Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the area. Remember, a Severe Thunderstorm Warning still remains in effect for portions of Fairfield and Kershaw Counties until 4 am! LAT...LON 3427 8119 3441 8110 3432 8062 3410 8075 TIME...MOT...LOC 0739Z 287DEG 50KT 3427 8091 $$ PL
The office that day
Everything else NWS Columbia, SC issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 9, 2:40 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Fairfield, Newberry, Saluda | 53 min |
| May 9, 2:43 AM EDT | Tornado Warning | CAE | Newberry, Saluda | 32 min |
| May 9, 3:12 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Aiken, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry, Richland and 1 more | 48 min |
| May 9, 3:49 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Chesterfield, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lee, Richland and 1 more | 56 min |
| May 9, 3:57 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Aiken, Calhoun, Clarendon, Lexington, Orangeburg, Richland and 1 more | 63 min |
| May 9, 4:24 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Edgefield, McCormick | 51 min |
| May 9, 5:53 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Edgefield, McCormick | 52 min |
| May 9, 9:07 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Edgefield, McCormick | 38 min |
| May 9, 9:45 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Edgefield, McCormick, Saluda | 60 min |
| May 9, 10:30 AM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Aiken, Edgefield, Lexington | 39 min |
| May 9, 11:55 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Bamberg | 35 min |
| May 9, 12:16 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Bamberg, Barnwell, Orangeburg | 44 min |
Nearby
Tornado Warnings in South Carolina, 2024Every tornado warning in 2024Tornadoes in 2024
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.