Alert archive / South Carolina / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 23, NWS Columbia, SC

August 10, 2026Kershaw County, Richland County, South Carolina

NWS Columbia, SC issued this flash flood warning at Aug 10, 2026, 3:32 PM EDT for Kershaw County, Richland County, South Carolina. It was in force for 91 min. 1 report 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 10, 2026, 3:32 PM EDT (19:32 UTC)
Expired
Aug 10, 2026, 5:03 PM EDT
In force
91 min
Issued by
NWS Columbia, SC
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Kershaw County, SC, Richland County, SC

The radar

The Columbia radar (KCAE), 31 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:33 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
Aug 10, 3:45 PM EDTFLASH FLOOD4 Ne Sesquicentennial S, SCRichland Fire reported a vehicle stalled by flooded roadway on Two Notch Rd near Bookman Rd. Water was 2 feet high on the door of the vehicle and road was partially closed with barricades due to flooding.

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 one storm report to this flash flood warning; the first came 13 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, 7.5 hours before the alert went out and 159 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 2026-08-10Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1172 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 2026-08-10The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 33 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
1172 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-44 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1033 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
16 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
33 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
55 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
1.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

554 
WGUS52 KCAE 101932
FFWCAE
SCC055-079-102130-
/O.NEW.KCAE.FF.W.0023.260810T1932Z-260810T2130Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Columbia SC
332 PM EDT Mon Aug 10 2026

The National Weather Service in Columbia has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Southwestern Kershaw County in central South Carolina...
  Northeastern Richland County in central South Carolina...

* Until 530 PM EDT.

* At 332 PM EDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated
  thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between
  2 and 2.5 inches of rain have fallen. The expected rainfall rate is
  2 to 2.5 inches in 1 hour. Additional rainfall amounts up 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 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...
  Columbia, Dentsville, Villages at Sandhill, Lake Carolina and
  Sesquicentennial State Park.

This includes the following highways...
Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 77 and 88.
Interstate 77 between mile markers 17 and 19.

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 3418 8091 3416 8072 3406 8079 3408 8097

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED
EXPECTED RAINFALL RATE...2-2.5 INCHES IN 1 HOUR

$$

MEG
1 follow-up statement
677 
WGUS72 KCAE 102103
FFSCAE

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
503 PM EDT Mon Aug 10 2026

SCC055-079-102113-
/O.CAN.KCAE.FF.W.0023.000000T0000Z-260810T2130Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Kershaw SC-Richland SC-
503 PM EDT Mon Aug 10 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR SOUTHWESTERN KERSHAW AND
NORTHEASTERN RICHLAND COUNTIES...

Flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat as the heavy rain has
ended and flood waters should be receding. Please continue to heed
any road closures.

&&

LAT...LON 3418 8091 3416 8072 3406 8079 3408 8097

$$

HC

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 Aug 10, 1:55 PM EDT, 1 hour 37 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • 1. Isolated diurnal storms possible each day this week, with diminishing chances midweek. A strong storm cannot be ruled out.
  • 2. Increasing heat and humidity is expected this week, especially by the mid to late week.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 10, 1:55 PM EDT, 1 hour 37 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Columbia SC
155 PM EDT Mon Aug 10 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Isolated to scattered storms are developing across the area,
with the potential for a few of them becoming strong. Dew points
have trended a bit cooler for tomorrow afternoon.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
- 1. Isolated diurnal storms possible each day this week, with
  diminishing chances midweek. A strong storm cannot be ruled
  out.

- 2. Increasing heat and humidity is expected this week,
  especially by the mid to late week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
- 1. Isolated diurnal storms possible each day this week, with
  diminishing chances midweek. A strong storm cannot be ruled
  out.

Some thunderstorms have begun to develop along a residual
boundary draped across the central portions of the forecast
area. A couple of these have become strong, but the severe
threat continues to look low due to a lack of shear.

There remains relatively minimal change with this forecast
package in terms of rain/storm chances through the week.
Maintenance of dewpoints in the low to mid 70s amidst robust
heating each day is expected to yield seasonable to strong
instability during the afternoon through the weekend. A weak
embedded perturbation may aid in bringing additional coverage
this afternoon before coverage is a bit more spotty to isolated
during the mid to late week as forcing from multiple shortwaves
remains just north of FA. Global models generally indicate
rising mid level heights late this week into the weekend as
ridging strengthens over the central CONUS with a shortwave
ridge moving into the Great Lakes, but there continues to be the
potential for weak troughing moving in this weekend. There is
also the possibility for a diffuse frontal boundary to near FA
by this weekend as well. Considerable uncertainty remains in
this however, as seen in the generous spread across the LREF's
four clusters. Overall, the potential for increased rain chances
exists by this weekend, but confidence in realizing this is low
at the moment. As is typical with our diurnal pulse convection,
a strong storm or two cannot be ruled out with the risk of
strong downburst winds, but widespread severe weather remains
unlikely.

- 2. Increasing heat and humidity is expected this week,
  especially by the mid to late week.

Strengthening ridging just to our west through the week should
aid in bringing a warming trend with 500mb heights peaking at
the NAEFS 97.5th percentile late in the week. Temperatures
likely reach the mid to upper 90s each day Tuesday through at
least Friday. Persistent southwesterly flow on the periphery of
a Bermuda high should also aid in keeping PWAT's near 2" and
surface dewpoints in the low to mid 70s. However, dew points are
have trended downward for Tuesday afternoon with the latest
guidance. With the expected lower coverage of diurnal
convection each day, confidence is high in heat indices above
100F during this period. The potential for heat indices above
105F and possibly nearing Advisory criteria (108F) increase
during the mid to late week with LREF probabilities for indices
above 105F remain between 30-50% on Thursday before increasing
to 50-70% Friday and Saturday. This signal is also supported in
the latest EC EFI where values of around 0.90 are seen Friday
and Saturday. It is worth noting the uncertainty in the synoptic
pattern and thus rain chances this weekend brings large NBM IQR
spreads Saturday and Sunday (8-10 degrees). Either way,
hot/humid conditions are likely most of this week with
increasing confidence in heat indices exceeding 105F by the mid
to late week. With the persistence of heat this week, be sure to
take heat safety precautions.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Temporary visibility restrictions in afternoon thunderstorms
today. Highest coverage expected at AGS/DNL/AIK and OGB.

Convective coverage this afternoon has been much higher in the
southern half of the forecast area than CAMs had shown. South of
I-20, numerous showers and storms are expected to cause
temporary VIS restrictions from periods of heavy rain from
thunderstorms. Storms will diminish near sunset but we should
still see a lingering shower/storm through the evening.

Convective debris clouds should hinder fog/stratus development
again tonight. Model guidance already favored continued VFR
conditions overnight. Since there will likely be more convective
debris clouds than models had, this increases confidence in VFR
TAFs. That said, we may still see brief early morning fog
develop around 11Z or at sites that receive decent rainfall this
afternoon. Light W or WSW winds expected each afternoon becoming
light and variable around 01Z or 02Z.

EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...A hot and drier weather pattern
develops through the week. Convective coverage will be low as
highs push into the upper 90s.

&&

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

&&

DISCUSSION...29
AVIATION...CJR

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 10, 1:32 PM EDT, 2 hours before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
132 PM EDT Mon Aug 10 2026

SCZ025-027-030-035-135-136-101800-
Central Orangeburg SC-Lexington SC-Barnwell SC-Aiken SC-
Northwestern Orangeburg SC-Edgefield SC-
132 PM EDT Mon Aug 10 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of south central
Edgefield, northeastern Barnwell, south central Lexington, Aiken and
northwestern Orangeburg Counties through 200 PM EDT...

At 132 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Aiken State Park, or 15 miles east of Aiken Mall, moving northeast at
55 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch 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...
Aiken, North Augusta, Aiken Mall, Clearwater, Belvedere, Williston,
New Ellenton, Jackson, USC Aiken, Citizens Park, Gloverville, Aiken
State Park, Graniteville, Burnettown, Wagener, Pelion, Springfield,
Salley, Neeses, and Perry.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 0 and 9.
 Interstate 520 in South Carolina between mile markers 16 and 23.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3334 8190 3333 8191 3335 8194 3337 8195
      3338 8193 3341 8195 3341 8191 3342 8193
      3344 8191 3347 8193 3349 8199 3351 8199
      3355 8204 3376 8124 3348 8104 3330 8188
TIME...MOT...LOC 1732Z 240DEG 48KT 3356 8145

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

MG
Special weather statement, Aug 10, 2:15 PM EDT, 1 hour 17 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
215 PM EDT Mon Aug 10 2026

SCZ038-101845-
Clarendon SC-
215 PM EDT Mon Aug 10 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Clarendon
County through 245 PM EDT...

At 215 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Santee Cooper Regional Airport, or near Manning, moving east at 30
mph.

...Boaters on Lake Marion 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...
Manning, Summerton, Alcolu, Santee Cooper Regional Airport, Davis
Station, and Foreston.

This includes Interstate 95 between mile markers 107 and 125.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3370 8000 3350 8010 3350 8012 3349 8013
      3348 8015 3346 8014 3350 8040 3378 8032
      3377 7999 3372 7997
TIME...MOT...LOC 1815Z 281DEG 27KT 3363 8022

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

BC
Special weather statement, Aug 10, 2:17 PM EDT, 1 hour 15 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
217 PM EDT Mon Aug 10 2026

SCZ027-030-035-037-041-135>137-101900-
Central Orangeburg SC-Lexington SC-Barnwell SC-Aiken SC-
Southeastern Orangeburg SC-Calhoun SC-Bamberg SC-
Northwestern Orangeburg SC-
217 PM EDT Mon Aug 10 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southern Calhoun,
northeastern Barnwell, northwestern Bamberg, southeastern Lexington,
east central Aiken and Orangeburg Counties through 300 PM EDT...

At 217 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles west of Edisto Gardens, or 10 miles west of Orangeburg, moving
east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 to 45 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
Orangeburg, Brookdale, Branchville, Bowman, Elloree, Orangeburg
County Airport, Claflin College, Edisto Gardens, South Carolina State
University, North, Springfield, Cameron, Neeses, Norway, Rowesville,
Woodford, Cordova, Livingston, Cope, and Yonder Field.

This includes Interstate 26 between mile markers 140 and 164.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3344 8134 3369 8118 3356 8051 3325 8065
      3322 8071
TIME...MOT...LOC 1817Z 285DEG 21KT 3347 8105

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

BC
Special weather statement, Aug 10, 2:43 PM EDT, 49 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
243 PM EDT Mon Aug 10 2026

SCZ022-028-029-031-101930-
Richland SC-Kershaw SC-Sumter SC-Lee SC-
243 PM EDT Mon Aug 10 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Lee,
northwestern Sumter, northeastern Richland and southwestern Kershaw
Counties through 330 PM EDT...

At 243 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Elgin, or 7 miles northeast of Columbia, moving east at 25 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, Forest Acres, Camden, Bishopville, St. Andrews,
Dentsville, Shaw Air Base, Arcadia Lakes, Lugoff, Oakland, Villages
at Sandhill, Columbia International University, Elgin, Killian,
Mulberry, Woodfield, Sesquicentennial State Park, Lake Carolina, and
Fort Jackson.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 66 and 118.
 Interstate 77 between mile markers 13 and 29.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3390 8027 3405 8111 3422 8109 3422 8108
      3424 8105 3423 8104 3426 8095 3424 8022
TIME...MOT...LOC 1843Z 276DEG 24KT 3412 8080

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

BC
Local storm report, Aug 10, 2:58 PM EDT, 34 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Columbia SC
258 PM EDT Mon Aug 10 2026

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

0135 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 NNE Swansea           33.76N 81.09W
08/10/2026                   Lexington          SC   Law Enforcement

            SC DPS reported trees down along Charlie
            Rast Road. Time estimated by radar.

0138 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     5 NNE Harlem            33.48N 82.28W
08/10/2026                   Columbia           GA   911 Call Center

            Columbia County dispatch reports trees down
            on powerlines near Wrightsboro Rd and Swint
            Rd. Time estimated from radar.

0150 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 WNW Grovetown         33.45N 82.21W
08/10/2026                   Columbia           GA   911 Call Center

            Columbia County Dispatch reports trees down
            on Harlem Grovetown Rd.

&&
Special weather statement, Aug 10, 3:28 PM EDT, 4 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
328 PM EDT Mon Aug 10 2026

SCZ022-028-031-102000-
Richland SC-Kershaw SC-Sumter SC-
328 PM EDT Mon Aug 10 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northwestern Sumter,
northeastern Richland and southwestern Kershaw Counties through 400
PM EDT...

At 328 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Elgin, or 7 miles northeast of Columbia, moving east at 15 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...
Columbia, Sesquicentennial State Park, Elgin, Villages at Sandhill,
Fort Jackson, Woodfield, Lugoff, Fort Jackson McCrady Training
Center, and Fort Jackson Wildcat Road.

This includes Interstate 20 in South Carolina between mile markers 77
and 93.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3405 8092 3421 8087 3420 8055 3397 8067
TIME...MOT...LOC 1928Z 291DEG 13KT 3411 8080

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

MG

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 9, 11:56 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAENewberry34 min
Aug 10, 12:16 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAECalhoun29 min
Aug 10, 1:02 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAECalhoun43 min
Aug 10, 1:24 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAECalhoun, Clarendon, Lexington, Orangeburg, Richland, Sumter51 min
Aug 10, 1:32 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAEAiken28 min
Aug 10, 1:36 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEAiken, Edgefield39 min
Aug 10, 2:15 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAEClarendon30 min
Aug 10, 2:17 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAEOrangeburg43 min
Aug 10, 2:43 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAELee, Richland47 min
Aug 10, 2:45 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningCAEKershaw, Richland, Sumter45 min
Aug 10, 3:10 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryCAEKershaw, Richland23 min
Aug 10, 3:28 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementCAERichland32 min

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.