Alert archive / South Carolina / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 12, NWS Columbia, SC

July 13, 20264 counties in South Carolina

NWS Columbia, SC issued this flash flood warning at Jul 13, 2026, 6:42 PM EDT for 4 counties in South Carolina. It was in force for 3 hr. 2 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
Jul 13, 2026, 6:42 PM EDT (22:42 UTC)
Expired
Jul 13, 2026, 9:45 PM EDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Columbia, SC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Aiken County, SC, Bamberg County, SC, Barnwell County, SC, Orangeburg County, SC

The radar

The Columbia radar (KCAE), 67 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:42 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jul 13, 8:20 PM EDTFLASH FLOOD1 Ene Denmark, SCBamberg County dispatch reported Sawdust Avenue closed due to flooding.
Jul 13, 8:20 PM EDTFLASH FLOOD1 W Denmark, SCBamberg County dispatch reported flooding at Barnwell Highway at Bull Frog Road.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 2 storm reports to this flash flood warning; the first came 98 minutes after it went out.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

Charleston AFB, SC (KCHS), launched 12:00Z, 10.7 hours before the alert went out and 135 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.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Charleston AFB, SC at 12:00Z on 2026-07-13Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 395 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Charleston AFB, SC at 12:00Z on 2026-07-13The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -27 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
395 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-103 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
860 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
11 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-27 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
46 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

736 
WGUS52 KCAE 132242
FFWCAE
SCC003-009-011-075-140145-
/O.NEW.KCAE.FF.W.0012.260713T2242Z-260714T0145Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Columbia SC
642 PM EDT Mon Jul 13 2026

The National Weather Service in Columbia has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  East Central Aiken County in central South Carolina...
  Bamberg County in central South Carolina...
  Northeastern Barnwell County in central South Carolina...
  Southwestern Orangeburg County in central South Carolina...

* Until 945 PM EDT.

* At 642 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 3 inches of rain
  have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are
  possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected
  to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
           highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
           drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Barnwell, Bamberg, Denmark, Williston, Blackville, Barnwell State
  Park, Springfield, Hilda, Salley, Neeses, Norway, Snelling, Olar,
  Elko, Windsor, Cope, Govan, Bamberg County Airport, Barnwell County
  Airport and Aiken Gopher Tortoise Heritage Preserve.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Most flooding deaths occur in vehicles. Never drive through a flooded
roadway or around barricades. Turn around, don't drown.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

Report any flooding directly to the Columbia National Weather Service
when it is safe to do so. You can send reports by Facebook or X to
NWSColumbia or by e-mail at NWS.Columbia@noaa.gov.

&&

LAT...LON 3336 8155 3349 8152 3358 8138 3354 8108
      3320 8085 3314 8117 3328 8157

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

DH
2 follow-up statements
916 
WGUS72 KCAE 140002
FFSCAE

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
802 PM EDT Mon Jul 13 2026

SCC003-009-011-075-140145-
/O.CON.KCAE.FF.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260714T0145Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Aiken SC-Bamberg SC-Barnwell SC-Orangeburg SC-
802 PM EDT Mon Jul 13 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 945 PM EDT THIS
EVENING FOR EAST CENTRAL AIKEN, BAMBERG, NORTHEASTERN BARNWELL AND
SOUTHWESTERN ORANGEBURG COUNTIES...

At 802 PM EDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated
thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between
1.5 and 3.5 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts
of 0.5 to 1.5 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding
is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Radar and automated gauges.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
         highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
         drainage and low-lying areas.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Barnwell, Bamberg, Denmark, Williston, Blackville, Barnwell State
  Park, Springfield, Hilda, Salley, Neeses, Norway, Snelling, Olar,
  Elko, Windsor, Cope, Govan, Bamberg County Airport, Barnwell County
  Airport and Aiken Gopher Tortoise Heritage Preserve.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Most flooding deaths occur in vehicles. Never drive through a flooded
roadway or around barricades. Turn around, don't drown.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

Report any flooding directly to the Columbia National Weather Service
when it is safe to do so. You can send reports by Facebook or X to
NWSColumbia or by e-mail at NWS.Columbia@noaa.gov.

&&

LAT...LON 3336 8155 3349 8152 3358 8138 3354 8108
      3320 8085 3314 8117 3328 8157

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED

$$

DH
277 
WGUS72 KCAE 140136
FFSCAE

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
936 PM EDT Mon Jul 13 2026

SCC003-009-011-075-140146-
/O.EXP.KCAE.FF.W.0012.000000T0000Z-260714T0145Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Aiken SC-Bamberg SC-Barnwell SC-Orangeburg SC-
936 PM EDT Mon Jul 13 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 945 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR
EAST CENTRAL AIKEN, BAMBERG, NORTHEASTERN BARNWELL AND SOUTHWESTERN
ORANGEBURG COUNTIES...

The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a
threat. Please continue to heed remaining road closures.

&&

LAT...LON 3336 8155 3349 8152 3358 8138 3354 8108
      3320 8085 3314 8117 3328 8157

$$

DH

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Columbia, SC wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Jul 13, 1:19 PM EDT, 5 hours 23 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • 1. Scattered to widespread showers and storms expected this afternoon, continuing into the early overnight. A couple strong to marginally severe storms will be possible along with isolated spots of flash flooding. Lingering moisture leading to scattered to widespread afternoon storms Tuesday and Wednesday.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 13, 1:19 PM EDT, 5 hours 23 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Columbia SC
119 PM EDT Mon Jul 13 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Little change in the thinking with a locally heavy rainfall
threat this afternoon and evening. Aviation discussion updated
for 18z TAF.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
- 1. Scattered to widespread showers and storms expected this
  afternoon, continuing into the early overnight. A couple
  strong to marginally severe storms will be possible along with
  isolated spots of flash flooding. Lingering moisture leading
  to scattered to widespread afternoon storms Tuesday and
  Wednesday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Key Message 1: Scattered to widespread showers and storms
expected this afternoon, continuing into the early overnight. A
couple strong to marginally severe storms will be possible along
with isolated spots of flash flooding. Lingering moisture
leading to scattered to widespread afternoon storms Tuesday and
Wednesday.

Overall, there has not been much change in the outlook for
the rest of the today based on 18z observations and updated hi-
res guidance. A slow moving surface front is gradually working
south through the FA and will eventually stall across the I-20
corridor and CSRA. Mean sfc-400mb flow out of the southwest
should advect PWAT's 1.5-2 standard deviations above normal
(~2.20-2.40"), creating very moist profiles. With surface
dewpoints remaining in the low to mid 70s, mean HREF soundings
indicate SBCAPE values between 1500-2000 J/kg should develop
through the day, less than previous days mostly due to cooler
surface temperatures ranging from the low 80s north to the mid
to upper 80s south. With more moist adiabatic profiles, DCAPE is
progged to be less than previous day's as well. An uptick in
kinematics from the mid level low should bring increased shear
(EBWD ~20-25 kts) though, so a few strong to marginally severe
storms remain possible during the afternoon/early evening with
the main hazard being damaging wind gusts from precip- loaded
downdrafts. Activity likely carries into the overnight, but the
severe risk is expected to diminish during this period.

The bigger talking point is the heavy rainfall potential
through the afternoon and evening. The 12z guidance has followed
well with current observations, continuing the threat for
locally high rainfall amounts later today. These moist
adiabatic profiles, long/skinny CAPE, a nearly stationary front,
and the aforementioned PWAT's should act to bring quite
efficient rainfall rates and the potential for training
convection. The HREF 24hr QPF LPMM product indicates a fairly
widespread 0.50-1.0" is a reasonable expectation, but it does
indicate spots of 2-5" being possible, which is further
supported in deterministic CAMs and the 12z REFS LPMM; even 6hr
LPMM indicates over 5" possible in highly localized spots.
There is lesser confidence in the exact placement of higher QPF
amounts with some spatial variability amongst deterministic
CAMs, but with the frontal boundary expected to nearly stall in
the southern FA, this could be an area to watch more closely.
Areas in the southeastern Midlands near eastern Bamberg County
into Orangeburg and southern Calhoun Counties saw 1-3" of
rainfall from Sunday's activity so these spots would be the most
sensitive to additional higher amounts. Overall, isolated
instances of flash flooding will be possible if these higher
amounts are realized.

Scattered shower and thunderstorm chances will likely continue
Tuesday and Wednesday as ensemble meteograms indicate PWAT's
near to over 2" remain in place through at least the first half
of Wednesday. As the mid level low slowly retrogrades, drier air
may begin pushing into the Pee Dee and northern Midlands
Wednesday, bringing lower rain chances here. Cooler than normal
temperatures are also expected to persist through Wednesday
before gradually warming during the second half of the week back
to near normal. Typical diurnal rain chances could make an
appearance late in the week into next weekend, but there is
generous spread in LREF cluster analysis at this point.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
A mix of MVFR and VFR conditions are expected this afternoon and
evening, with showers and storms helping that. Widespread MVFR
and IFR ceiling restrictions are expected tonight.

The slow moving front is currently sagging southward across the
area. Cooler low-level air and northeasterly flow north of this
feature has led to a morning filled with MVFR restrictions,
with these slowly lifting now. Expecting convection to quickly
fill in along this front, with heavy rainfall expected in any
thunderstorm that passes over a site. The best chances for
storms in the next few hours are at the Columbia sites, with the
Aiken, Augusta, and Orangeburg sites seeing convection either
develop or move in later this afternoon and evening.
Restrictions are expected with any storm that does develop.
Variable winds are forecast to remain in place this afternoon
and into tonight, with potentially more persistent northeasterly
flow arriving tonight. Given expectation of rain coverage today
& already moisture rich airmass in place, guidance is quite
aggressive with cig forecast tonight, showing IFR developing
quickly after sunset. This makes sense from a pattern
recognition standpoint and have the forecast reflecting such.
Expecting that MVFr/IFR cigs will hold on into the midday on
Tuesday.

EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...A good chance for afternoon showers
and thunderstorms with associated restrictions is expected
through at least Tuesday.

&&

.CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
SC...None.
GA...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...42
AVIATION...PL

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 13, 3:24 PM EDT, 3 hours 18 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Columbia SC
324 PM EDT Mon Jul 13 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0719 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 NE Edisto             33.48N 80.89W
07/12/2026                   Orangeburg         SC   Emergency Mngr

            Orangeburg County EM reported several trees
            down on Second Avenue in Orangeburg. Time
            estimated by radar.

&&

gpl
Local storm report, Jul 13, 3:33 PM EDT, 3 hours 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Columbia SC
333 PM EDT Mon Jul 13 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0330 PM     Rain             1 NE McEntire JNGB      33.94N 80.79W
07/13/2026  M3.70 Inch       Richland           SC   Mesonet

            RC Winds Site RCCON recorded 3.7 inches of
            rain between 230p and 330p, with 3.15 inches
            of that falling in 30 minutes time.

&&

gpl
Local storm report, Jul 13, 3:56 PM EDT, 2 hours 46 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Columbia SC
356 PM EDT Mon Jul 13 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0330 PM     Rain             4 NNW Eastover          33.94N 80.72W
07/13/2026  M4.45 Inch       Richland           SC   Public

            Personal Weather Station recorded 4.45
            inches of rain in 90 minutes.

&&

gpl
Local storm report, Jul 13, 4:14 PM EDT, 2 hours 28 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Columbia SC
414 PM EDT Mon Jul 13 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0357 PM     Flash Flood      6 NE Eastover           33.95N 80.63W
07/13/2026                   Richland           SC   Dept of Highways

            SC Department of Public Safety reported
            flooding in the roadway along Garners Ferry
            Rd.

&&

gpl
Special weather statement, Jul 13, 4:46 PM EDT, 1 hour 56 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
446 PM EDT Mon Jul 13 2026

GAZ040-SCZ018-020-025>027-030-132145-
Lincoln GA-Lexington SC-Aiken SC-Newberry SC-McCormick SC-Saluda SC-
Edgefield SC-
446 PM EDT Mon Jul 13 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern
Lincoln, southwestern Newberry, Edgefield, southwestern Lexington,
Saluda, Aiken and east central McCormick Counties through 545 PM
EDT...

At 446 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking numerous strong
thunderstorms, moving north at 5 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and torrential rainfall.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Aiken, Lexington, Batesburg-Leesville, Aiken Mall, Red Bank,
Edgefield, Saluda, Johnston, South Congaree, Pine Ridge, New
Ellenton, Ridge Spring, Edgefield County Airport, Hamilton Branch
State Park, Citizens Park, USC Aiken, Saluda County Airport, Aiken
Municipal Airport, Gloverville, and Aiken State Park.

This includes Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 7
and 55.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3398 8206 3398 8205 3395 8204 3396 8201
      3399 8199 3404 8195 3409 8192 3413 8187
      3416 8190 3420 8186 3391 8109 3339 8151
      3337 8153 3375 8227
TIME...MOT...LOC 2046Z 201DEG 6KT 3390 8157

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

PL
Special weather statement, Jul 13, 6:10 PM EDT, 32 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
610 PM EDT Mon Jul 13 2026

SCZ030-035-041-135-136-132245-
Central Orangeburg SC-Barnwell SC-Aiken SC-Bamberg SC-
Northwestern Orangeburg SC-
610 PM EDT Mon Jul 13 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern
Barnwell, northwestern Bamberg, southeastern Aiken and west central
Orangeburg Counties through 645 PM EDT...

At 610 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Williston, or 9 miles north of Barnwell, moving north at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Barnwell, Williston, Blackville, Barnwell State Park, Springfield,
Hilda, Elko, Windsor, Aiken Gopher Tortoise Heritage Preserve, and
Barnwell County Airport.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3323 8118 3329 8165 3353 8148 3350 8116
TIME...MOT...LOC 2210Z 192DEG 10KT 3338 8137

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

DH

The office that day

Everything else NWS Columbia, SC issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 12, 8:38 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryCAEBamberg, Orangeburg2 hr
Jul 13, 2:09 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryCAECalhoun, Clarendon, Kershaw, Richland, Sumter2 hr
Jul 13, 2:49 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAERichland41 min
Jul 13, 2:55 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningCAERichland, Sumter113 min
Jul 13, 2:57 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAEClarendon33 min
Jul 13, 3:18 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningCAEClarendon, Sumter2 hr
Jul 13, 3:21 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEClarendon, Sumter39 min
Jul 13, 4:16 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryCAEAiken, Edgefield, Lexington, Saluda119 min
Jul 13, 4:46 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAEAiken, Edgefield, Lexington, Saluda59 min
Jul 13, 5:19 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryCAEEdgefield, Lexington, Newberry, Saluda116 min
Jul 13, 5:32 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryCAEAiken, Barnwell, Edgefield, McCormick, Orangeburg3 hr
Jul 13, 6:00 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningCAEAiken, Edgefield, McCormick4 hr
Jul 13, 6:10 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAEBarnwell35 min
Jul 13, 7:54 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryCAEChesterfield, Kershaw, Lancaster2 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in South Carolina, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026

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.