High Wind in South Carolina, March 8, 2008

Name: High Wind in South Carolina, March 8, 2008
Start: 2008-03-08T08:36
End: 2008-03-08T13:54
Location: South Carolina

March 8, 2008 · NWS CHS · 30 events in 7 counties and zones

A rapidly strengthening area of low pressure tracked just to the northwest of the region early in the morning, dragging a strong cold front through southern South Carolina and southeast Georgia. Very strong winds resulted from rapid pressure rises behind the cold front as a strong area of high pressure began to build in behind the departing system.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 24 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $25,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 30

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS CHS wrote it up.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Charleston, SC wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Mar 8, 7:47 AM EST, 49 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 8, 7:47 AM EST, 49 minutes before

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Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 8, 8:04 AM EST, 32 minutes before

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The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

30 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.

High Wind, Jasper

When: March 8, 8:36 AM EST
Where: Jasper forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: County Official

A tree and power lines were reported down on Route 17 near Switzerland, South Carolina.

High Wind, Jasper

When: March 8, 8:41 AM EST
Where: Jasper forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: County Official

A tree was reported down on Highway 462 near Old House, South Carolina.

High Wind, Dorchester

When: March 8, 10:00 AM EST
Where: Dorchester forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 33.080, -80.406 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree was reported down on Highway 78 near Reevesville, South Carolina.

High Wind, Northern Colleton

When: March 8, 10:00 AM EST
Where: Northern Colleton forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $250
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.843, -80.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree branch was reported down on a power line in Walterboro, South Carolina.

High Wind, Charleston

When: March 8, 10:00 AM EST
Where: Charleston forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Two trees were reported down across roads in Johns Island, South Carolina.

High Wind, Charleston

When: March 8, 10:00 AM EST
Where: Charleston forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Department of Highways

A wind gust of 58 mph was reported on the Ben Sawyer Bridge in Charleston, South Carolina.

High Wind, Beaufort

When: March 8, 10:00 AM EST
Where: Beaufort forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A tree was reported down in Port Royal, South Carolina.

High Wind, Hampton

When: March 8, 10:00 AM EST
Where: Hampton forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 32.776, -81.141 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several trees were reported down on Deer Drive in Brunson, South Carolina.

High Wind, Northern Colleton

When: March 8, 10:05 AM EST
Where: Northern Colleton forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $750
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.843, -80.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree was reported down and blocking Moselle Road close to Halyard Road near Ehrhardt, South Carolina.

High Wind, Northern Colleton

When: March 8, 10:10 AM EST
Where: Northern Colleton forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.843, -80.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree was reported to be blocking both lanes of the Lowcountry Highway in the 15,000 block in Ruffin, South Carolina.

High Wind, Northern Colleton

When: March 8, 10:10 AM EST
Where: Northern Colleton forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $750
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.843, -80.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree was reported to be blocking one lane of the Jeffries Highway in the 9,000 block in Walterboro, South Carolina.

High Wind, Northern Colleton

When: March 8, 10:10 AM EST
Where: Northern Colleton forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $750
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.843, -80.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree was reported to be blocking Can City Road in Walterboro, South Carolina.

High Wind, Northern Colleton

When: March 8, 10:10 AM EST
Where: Northern Colleton forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $750
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.843, -80.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree was reported to be blocking one lane of Crosswamp Road in Lodge, South Carolina.

High Wind, Northern Colleton

When: March 8, 10:10 AM EST
Where: Northern Colleton forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $750
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.843, -80.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree was reported to be blocking Tobacco Road in Lodge, South Carolina.

High Wind, Northern Colleton

When: March 8, 10:10 AM EST
Where: Northern Colleton forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $750
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.843, -80.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree was reported to be blocking Cooks Hill Road in Walterboro, South Carolina.

High Wind, Northern Colleton

When: March 8, 10:10 AM EST
Where: Northern Colleton forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $750
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.843, -80.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree was reported down on a power line in Ruffin, South Carolina.

High Wind, Northern Colleton

When: March 8, 10:10 AM EST
Where: Northern Colleton forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $750
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.843, -80.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree was reported down on a power line on Broxton Bridge Highway near Ehrhardt, South Carolina.

High Wind, Northern Colleton

When: March 8, 10:10 AM EST
Where: Northern Colleton forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $750
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.843, -80.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree was reported down on a power line in the 2900 block of Barracada Road in Walterboro, South Carolina.

High Wind, Northern Colleton

When: March 8, 10:10 AM EST
Where: Northern Colleton forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $750
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.843, -80.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree was reported down on a power line at 346 Smyly Road in Ruffin, South Carolina.

High Wind, Northern Colleton

When: March 8, 10:10 AM EST
Where: Northern Colleton forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $750
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.843, -80.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree was reported to be blocking the entrance to Shawnee Lane in Smoaks, South Carolina.

High Wind, Northern Colleton

When: March 8, 10:10 AM EST
Where: Northern Colleton forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $750
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.843, -80.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree was reported to be blocking the driveway at 739 Southern Charm Road in Ruffin, South Carolina.

High Wind, Northern Colleton

When: March 8, 10:10 AM EST
Where: Northern Colleton forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.843, -80.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree was reported down at the intersection of Clover Hill Road and Greenpond Highway in Greenpond, South Carolina.

High Wind, Northern Colleton

When: March 8, 10:10 AM EST
Where: Northern Colleton forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.843, -80.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree was reported down at the intersection of Charleston Highway and Bonnie Doone Road in Walterboro, South Carolina.

High Wind, Northern Colleton

When: March 8, 10:10 AM EST
Where: Northern Colleton forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.843, -80.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree and power line were reported down in the 6000 block of Ruffin Road in Ruffin, South Carolina.

High Wind, Northern Colleton

When: March 8, 10:10 AM EST
Where: Northern Colleton forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $750
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.843, -80.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree was reported down on Interstate 95 at mile marker 68 in Walterboro, South Carolina.

High Wind, Hampton

When: March 8, 10:30 AM EST
Where: Hampton forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $500
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 32.776, -81.141 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree was reported down on Simmons Street in Yemassee, South Carolina.

High Wind, Hampton

When: March 8, 10:40 AM EST
Where: Hampton forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 32.776, -81.141 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree and power lines were reported down on Pocotaligo Road in Hampton, South Carolina.

High Wind, Jasper

When: March 8, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Jasper forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $3,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Three trees were reported to have fallen on power lines across the county.

High Wind, Berkeley

When: March 8, 12:13 PM EST
Where: Berkeley forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $750
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 33.198, -79.951 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree was reported down across County Line Road, a half mile from Highway 311.

High Wind, Berkeley

When: March 8, 1:54 PM EST
Where: Berkeley forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $750
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 33.198, -79.951 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A tree was reported down across the intersection of Highway 17A and Cypress Gardens Road in Moncks Corner, South Carolina.

What these are

High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in South Carolina in 2008 Every state in 2008 This day in weather history Warnings in South Carolina, March 2008

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 81470, 81471, 80594, 80888, 81473, 81474, 81475, 81476, 80886, 80916, 81047, 81049, 81050, 81052, 81056, 81060, 81072, 81080, 81083, 81084, 81085, 81086, 81090, 81092, 81093, 81477, 81478, 81472, 81481, 81482.