Alert archive / South Carolina / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 20, NWS Columbia, SC
NWS Columbia, SC issued this flash flood warning at Aug 6, 2026, 3:11 PM EDT for Lexington County, Richland County, South Carolina. It was in force for 114 min. 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
- Aug 6, 2026, 3:11 PM EDT (19:11 UTC)
- Expired
- Aug 6, 2026, 5:05 PM EDT
- In force
- 114 min
- Issued by
- NWS Columbia, SC
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- None
Counties Lexington County, SC, Richland County, SC
The radar
The Columbia radar (KCAE), 11 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:14 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 6, 3:14 PM EDT | FLASH FLOOD | 1 E Pine Ridge, SC | SC Emergency Management Division reports water over the roadway on Pine Ridge Dr near Charleston Hwy. |
| Aug 6, 3:35 PM EDT | FLASH FLOOD | 2 Sw Seven Oaks, SC | SC DPS reported roadway flooded at the typically prone spot along Twelvemile Creek along Corley Mill Road. Nearby CoCoRaHS reported 4.72 inches of rain. |
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 3 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, 7.2 hours before the alert went out and 168 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
- 2265 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -12 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 798 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 17 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 27 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 68 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
708
WGUS52 KCAE 061911
FFWCAE
SCC063-079-062215-
/O.NEW.KCAE.FF.W.0020.260806T1911Z-260806T2215Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Columbia SC
311 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2026
The National Weather Service in Columbia has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Central Lexington County in central South Carolina...
West Central Richland County in central South Carolina...
* Until 615 PM EDT.
* At 311 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 2.5 inches of rain
have fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 1.5 to 3 inches in 1
hour. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 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...
Lexington, Cayce, Irmo, Springdale, Highway 6 at Lake Murray Dam,
Red Bank, Oak Grove, St. Andrews, South Congaree, Pine Ridge,
Columbia Metro Airport, Ballentine, Harbison State Forest, SC State
Farmer's Market, Barr Lake, Pine Island, Red Bank Sports Complex
and Seven Oaks.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 26 between mile markers 92 and 105...and between mile
markers 111 and 118. Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile
markers 47 and 62. Interstate 77 between mile markers 0 and 2.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Most flooding deaths occur in vehicles. Never drive through a flooded
roadway or around barricades. Turn around, don't drown.
&&
LAT...LON 3406 8113 3405 8115 3400 8113 3395 8106
3390 8100 3385 8136 3398 8134 3410 8131
3413 8132 3418 8132 3412 8106
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
EXPECTED RAINFALL RATE...1.5-3 INCHES IN 1 HOUR
$$
MEG1 follow-up statement
955
WGUS72 KCAE 062105 RRA
FFSCAE
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
505 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2026
SCC063-079-062115-
/O.CAN.KCAE.FF.W.0020.000000T0000Z-260806T2215Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Lexington SC-Richland SC-
505 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR CENTRAL LEXINGTON AND WEST
CENTRAL RICHLAND COUNTIES...
The heavy rain has ended. Flood waters have receded in most
locations. Please continue to heed remaining road closures.
&&
LAT...LON 3406 8113 3405 8115 3400 8113 3395 8106
3390 8100 3385 8136 3398 8134 3410 8131
3413 8132 3418 8132 3412 8106
$$
MEGWhat 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 Aug 6, 1:36 PM EDT, 1 hour 35 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- 1. Diurnal strong showers and storms each day through the period.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 6, 1:36 PM EDT, 1 hour 35 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Columbia SC 136 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... Update to the Key Messages. Aviation discussion updated for 18z TAFs. && .KEY MESSAGES... - 1. Diurnal strong showers and storms each day through the period. && .DISCUSSION... - 1. Diurnal strong showers and storms each day through the period. Showers are storms are starting to develop both here and in the coastal plain. These will continue to expand in coverage over the next several hours, with numerous showers and thunderstorms expected across the area by mid to late afternoon. Strong storms are again possible today as forecast soundings reveal a profile favorable for wet microbursts. These shouldn't be as widespread as the convection though, but rainfall rates are expected to be high and lightning copious. Beyond today, upper level ridging is forecast to slowly build through the beginning of next week. 90th percentile heights will foster highs climbing back into the mid 90s, while PWs in the 1.8-2.0" range will continue to foster daily chances at showers and thunderstorms. The typical threats will likely be associated with these, with storm coverage a bit lower than today for most of the period. && .AVIATION /16Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... Showers and storms around this afternoon and evening. Scattered showers and storm will move through the region this afternoon causing periods of restrictions. Convective activity will be widespread and likely impact each TAF site before weakening later this evening. Combination of tempo and prob30 groups cover this potential for all TAF sites. Winds outside of convection will be gusty and variable with numerous outflows from the convection. Overnight into Friday morning, low stratus is likely for much of the region especially given the rainfall expected this evening. EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...Diurnal thunderstorms expected this week with early morning restrictions possible. && .CAE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SC...None. GA...None. && DISCUSSION...PL AVIATION...42
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Aug 6, 2:02 PM EDT, 1 hour 9 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
202 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2026
SCZ030-035-041-135-136-061900-
Central Orangeburg SC-Barnwell SC-Aiken SC-Bamberg SC-
Northwestern Orangeburg SC-
202 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of eastern Barnwell,
Bamberg, eastern Aiken and northwestern Orangeburg Counties through
300 PM EDT...
At 202 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Denmark, moving north at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Orangeburg, Barnwell, Bamberg, Denmark, Blackville, Barnwell State
Park, Rivers Bridge State Park, North, Springfield, Hilda, Neeses,
Norway, Olar, Kline, Cordova, Livingston, Cope, Govan, Edisto, and
Bamberg 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.
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 3305 8110 3306 8113 3312 8119 3312 8124
3311 8129 3311 8137 3366 8128 3358 8086
3304 8106 3303 8108
TIME...MOT...LOC 1802Z 189DEG 11KT 3329 8116
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
PLSpecial weather statement, Aug 6, 2:14 PM EDT, 57 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
214 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2026
SCZ021-022-027-028-031-037-061915-
Fairfield SC-Lexington SC-Calhoun SC-Richland SC-Kershaw SC-
Sumter SC-
214 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern
Fairfield, northwestern Calhoun, northeastern Lexington, west central
Sumter, Richland and southwestern Kershaw Counties through 315 PM
EDT...
At 213 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Arcadia Lakes, or over Forest Acres, moving northeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and numerous cloud to ground
lightning strikes.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Columbia, Sumter, West Columbia, Cayce, Irmo, Forest Acres,
Springdale, St. Andrews, Dentsville, McEntire Air Base, Oak Grove,
Pine Ridge, Arcadia Lakes, Lugoff, Oakland, Columbia International
University, Harbison State Forest, Sesquicentennial State Park, Lake
Carolina, and SC State Fair Grounds.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 126 between mile markers 0 and 3.
Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 61 and 94.
Interstate 26 between mile markers 99 and 127.
Interstate 77 between mile markers 0 and 35.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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 3375 8104 3420 8124 3444 8080 3398 8048
TIME...MOT...LOC 1813Z 238DEG 12KT 3405 8095
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
PLSpecial weather statement, Aug 6, 2:20 PM EDT, 51 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
220 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2026
GAZ040-063>065-SCZ018-025-030-061915-
Richmond GA-McDuffie GA-Lincoln GA-Columbia GA-Aiken SC-McCormick SC-
Edgefield SC-
220 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of McDuffie, Columbia,
Lincoln, Richmond, western Edgefield, west central Aiken and eastern
McCormick Counties through 315 PM EDT...
At 220 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Mistletoe State Park, or 16 miles northwest of Evans, moving
northeast at 15 mph.
...Boaters on Lake Strom Thurmond Should Seek Safe Harbor...
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
North Augusta, Grovetown, Evans, Thomson, Fort Gordon, Augusta,
Clearwater, Martinez, Belvedere, Hephzibah, McCormick, Harlem,
Lincolnton, Glendale, South Augusta, Clarks Hill Recreation Area,
Elijah Clark State Park, Mistletoe State Park, Summerville, and
Wrightsboro.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 20 in Georgia between mile markers 166 and 201.
Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 0 and 6.
Interstate 520 in Georgia between mile markers 1 and 15.
Interstate 520 in South Carolina between mile markers 16 and 23.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
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 3364 8261 3363 8258 3365 8258 3364 8256
3366 8251 3365 8249 3380 8258 3398 8219
3398 8210 3339 8183 3327 8228 3331 8234
3331 8239 3334 8244 3335 8255 3341 8255
3346 8259 3360 8265
TIME...MOT...LOC 1820Z 233DEG 13KT 3369 8233
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
PLSpecial weather statement, Aug 6, 2:22 PM EDT, 49 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
222 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2026
SCZ027-030-037-135-136-061915-
Central Orangeburg SC-Lexington SC-Aiken SC-Calhoun SC-
Northwestern Orangeburg SC-
222 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern
Calhoun, southeastern Lexington, east central Aiken and northwestern
Orangeburg Counties through 315 PM EDT...
At 222 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles southwest of Gaston, or 15 miles south of Red Bank, moving
north at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and numerous cloud to ground
lightning strikes.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Lexington, West Columbia, Cayce, Red Bank, Oak Grove, South Congaree,
Pine Ridge, Gaston, SC State Farmer's Market, Columbia Metro Airport,
Sandy Run, Swansea, North, Pelion, Perry, Woodford, Thor, Dixiana,
Lexington County Airport At Pelion, and Lexington Acres Pond.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 51 and 59.
Interstate 26 between mile markers 111 and 117, and between mile
markers 124 and 131.
Interstate 77 near mile marker 0.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3354 8104 3364 8135 3401 8128 3398 8108
3382 8102 3380 8090
TIME...MOT...LOC 1822Z 194DEG 11KT 3370 8122
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
PLLocal storm report, Aug 6, 2:45 PM EDT, 26 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Columbia SC
245 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0240 PM Flash Flood 1 SSE Columbia 33.99N 81.03W
08/06/2026 Richland SC Other Federal
USGS camera at Whaley St near Rocky Branch
showed multiple SUVs driving through water
that was up to their chassis.
&&
BCSpecial weather statement, Aug 6, 2:53 PM EDT, 18 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
253 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2026
SCZ027-028-031-037-135-136-062000-
Central Orangeburg SC-Lexington SC-Calhoun SC-Richland SC-Sumter SC-
Northwestern Orangeburg SC-
253 PM EDT Thu Aug 6 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Calhoun,
southeastern Lexington, west central Sumter, north central Orangeburg
and southeastern Richland Counties through 400 PM EDT...
At 253 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
St. Matthews, or 13 miles north of Brookdale, moving north at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Columbia, Sumter, Orangeburg, McEntire Air Base, Brookdale, Shaw Air
Base, St. Matthews, Eastover, Congaree National Park, Hopkins,
Oakland, Claflin College, Horrel Hill, Sandy Run, Fort Jackson,
Gadsden, Woodfield, Cameron, Fort Motte, and Fort Jackson Wildcat
Road.
This includes Interstate 26 between mile markers 128 and 152.
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 3347 8073 3354 8104 3407 8091 3400 8046
TIME...MOT...LOC 1853Z 193DEG 11KT 3371 8086
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
PLThe office that day
Everything else NWS Columbia, SC issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 5, 11:49 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | CAE | Lexington, Newberry, Saluda | 116 min |
| Aug 6, 1:37 AM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | CAE | Aiken, Edgefield | 113 min |
| Aug 6, 3:28 AM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | CAE | Aiken, Edgefield | 2 hr |
| Aug 6, 12:59 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Fairfield, Richland | 61 min |
| Aug 6, 1:01 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Barnwell | 59 min |
| Aug 6, 1:10 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Edgefield | 65 min |
| Aug 6, 1:18 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell, Orangeburg | 42 min |
| Aug 6, 1:21 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Clarendon | 54 min |
| Aug 6, 1:28 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry, Richland | 47 min |
| Aug 6, 1:56 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | CAE | Lexington, Richland | 3 hr |
| Aug 6, 2:02 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Bamberg | 58 min |
| Aug 6, 2:14 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Richland | 61 min |
| Aug 6, 2:15 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | CAE | Lexington, Richland | 3 hr |
| Aug 6, 2:20 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | McCormick | 55 min |
| Aug 6, 2:22 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Lexington | 53 min |
| Aug 6, 2:32 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | CAE | Lexington, Richland | 3 hr |
| Aug 6, 2:34 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Aiken, Calhoun, Lexington, Orangeburg, Richland | 41 min |
| Aug 6, 2:37 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Edgefield, McCormick | 38 min |
| Aug 6, 2:53 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Calhoun, Richland | 67 min |
| Aug 6, 3:10 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Calhoun, Lexington, Richland | 50 min |
| Aug 6, 3:18 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | CAE | Aiken, Edgefield | 3 hr |
| Aug 6, 3:20 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Edgefield | 55 min |
| Aug 6, 3:32 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Newberry, Saluda | 58 min |
| Aug 6, 3:50 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Lexington | 55 min |
| Aug 6, 3:55 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Edgefield, Fairfield, Newberry, Saluda | 50 min |
| Aug 6, 3:59 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | CAE | Chesterfield, Kershaw | 76 min |
| Aug 6, 4:04 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | CAE | Aiken, Edgefield, Lexington, Newberry, Saluda | 88 min |
| Aug 6, 4:30 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | CAE | Lexington, Newberry, Saluda | 2 hr |
| Aug 6, 4:40 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | CAE | Chesterfield, Kershaw, Lancaster | 35 min |
| Aug 6, 5:18 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | CAE | Fairfield, Newberry | 3 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.