A 78 acre pond overflowed due to excessive rainfall. Once the earthen dam breached, waters surged across Highway 17, taking numerous trees and debris with it.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS CHS wrote it up.
A 78 acre pond overflowed due to excessive rainfall. Once the earthen dam breached, waters surged across Highway 17, taking numerous trees and debris with it.
In Chatham County, heavy rain produced flash flooding near Savannah. The official rainfall during the day was 2.55 inches, which broke the record for 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 Jul 13, 12:31 PM EST, 59 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
131 PM EDT SAT JUL 13 2013
.SYNOPSIS...
A STALLED FRONT ALONG THE COAST WILL SHIFT INLAND OVER THE WEEKEND AS
BERMUDA HIGH PRES STRENGTHENS. HIGH PRESSURE WILL CONTINUE TO GRADUALLY
BUILD THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK.
&&
.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 PM THIS EVENING/...
THE MID AND UPPER LEVEL PATTERN WILL FEATURE SEVERAL KEY
RETROGRADING FEATURES TODAY. THE FIRST IS A STRONG RIDGE WHICH
SHIFT FROM THE ATLANTIC TO OVER SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND. AS THIS
OCCURS...A CLOSED LOW OVER THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY WILL MOVE INTO
THE MIDDLE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY AND ITS ASSOCIATED TRAILING VORT
AXIS WILL MOVE WEST THROUGH THE CAROLINAS AND GEORGIA.
CONDITIONS WILL REMAIN FAVORABLE FOR NUMEROUS TO WIDESPREAD
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE AREA THIS AFTERNOON...ESPECIALLY
IN SOUTHEAST GEORGIA INLAND FROM THE COAST. WHILE THE BULK OF THE
UPPER LEVEL FORCING WILL BE SHIFTING INLAND...THERE WILL BE SOME
ADDITIONAL UPPER LEVEL FORCING AS A NORTHWEST-SOUTHEAST ORIENTED
BAND OF VORTICITY EXTENDS INTO THE AREA FROM THE REMNANTS OF
CHANTAL OVER THE SOUTHWEST ATLANTIC. IN ADDITION...LOW LEVEL
CONVERGENCE WILL OCCUR IN THE VICINITY OF A QUASI-STATIONARY
COASTAL FRONT. GIVEN THE EXTENT OF DEEP LAYERED MOISTURE IN
PLACE...WITH THE 12Z KCHS SOUNDING SHOWING ABOUT 2.20 INCH
PRECIPITABLE WATER VALUES...TORRENTIAL RAINFALL IS POSSIBLE IN ANY
SHOWERS/STORMS. THERE WILL BE A THREAT FOR FLASH FLOODING IF ANY
STORMS TRAIN OR REDEVELOP OVER THE LOCATION. THEREFORE...THE FLASH
FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THE AFTERNOON.
HIGHS WILL BE SOMEWHAT LIMITED ONCE AGAIN BY EXTENSIVE CLOUD
COVER...ALTHOUGH A FEW BREAKS OF SUNSHINE ARE POSSIBLE FROM TIME
TO TIME...ESPECIALLY ALONG THE COAST. THE FORECAST WILL SHOW HIGHS
GENERALLY IN THE MID 80S.
&&
.SHORT TERM /6 PM THIS EVENING THROUGH TUESDAY/...
RAINS SHOULD DIMINISH THIS EVENING ACROSS MANY AREAS BUT NEAR-COASTAL
SHOWERS WILL LIKELY PERSIST AND EVEN RAMP UP AGAIN LATER TONIGHT
AS LOW LEVEL CONVERGENCE STRENGTHENS IN SIGNIFICANT ONSHORE FLOW
WITH STRENGTHENING SPEED CONVERGENCE ALONG THE LAND/SEA INTERFACE.
PWATS ARE STILL OVER 2 INCHES AND THE RISK FOR HEAVY RAIN AND
ISOLATED FLOODING MAY PERSIST ALONG SOME OF OUR COASTAL COUNTIES.
SUNDAY...WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO SEE A FAIR AMOUNT OF PRECIP COVERAGE
TO START OUT THE DAY WITH LOW LVL MOISTURE ADVECTING OVER THE
AREA DUE TO ONSHORE FLOW ALONG THE WESTERN EDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE
OVER THE ATLANTIC. A MID/UPPER LVL LOW POSITIONED TO OUR NORTHWEST
WILL THEN BEGIN TO RETROGRADE TO THE CENTRAL UNITED STATES SUNDAY
AFTERNOON THROUGH TUESDAY AS A LARGE RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS
OVER THE WESTERN ATLANTIC AND THE MIDWEST. THIS SWITCH IN THE
PATTERN SHOULD RESULT IN FAVORABLE UPPER LVL DIVERGENCE AND DEEP
MOISTURE SHIFTING WELL INLAND THROUGH THE PERIOD BEGINNING SUNDAY
AFTERNOON. LATEST MODELS AND SOUNDINGS INDICATE THAT DRYER AIR
WILL ARRIVE ALONG THE COAST BY SUNDAY EVENING...AND INLAND BY
SUNDAY NIGHT. WITH THIS TREND BECOMING MORE APPARENT...HAVE
MAINTAINED 30-50 POPS OVER MANY LOCATIONS SUNDAY MORNING INTO THE
EARLY AFTERNOON WHEN MOISTURE IS PRESENT AND A SEABREEZE SHIFTS
INLAND...BEFORE DECREASING POPS TO 20 ALONG COASTAL AREAS AS DRYER
AIR ENTERS THE REGION WITH THE BUILDING RIDGE FROM THE ATLANTIC
AND THE MIDWEST. THE GREATEST CHANCE AND COVERAGE OF PRECIP SHOULD
REMAIN OVER SOUTHEAST GEORGIA WHERE RIDGING ARRIVES LATE. OVERALL
HIGH TEMPS ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN A FEW DEGREES BELOW
NORMAL...ESPECIALLY WITH SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORMS IN AREA. HIGH
TEMPS SHOULD RANGE MID/UPPER 80S...HIGHEST INLAND. OVERNIGHT LOWS
WILL REMAIN MILD...IN THE LOW 70S INLAND TO MID/UPPER 70S ALONG
THE COAST.
MONDAY AND TUESDAY...A MORE TYPICAL SUMMERTIME PATTERN IS EXPECTED
TO SETUP AS THE AREA REMAINS ALONG THE WESTERN EDGE OF ATLANTIC HIGH
PRESSURE WHILE A LARGE AND DEEP AREA OF HIGH PRESSURE EXPANDS FROM
THE MIDWEST TO THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES. ALTHOUGH DEEP
MOISTURE IS EXPECTED TO SHIFT INLAND EARLY NEXT WEEK...A CHANCE OF
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL REMAIN IN THE FORECAST ON MONDAY AS
LIGHT ONSHORE FLOW MAINTAINS SUFFICIENT LOW LVL MOISTURE OVER THE
AREA WHILE FORCING OCCURS WITH A WEAK MID LVL WAVE SHIFTING ONSHORE
AND ROUNDING THE SOUTHERN EDGE OF THE HIGH CENTERED OVER THE
MIDWEST. GREATEST COVERAGE SHOULD OCCUR WITH THIS FEATURE AND AN
INLAND MOVING SEABREEZE MONDAY AFTERNOON. BY TUESDAY...THE COVERAGE
OF PRECIP SHOULD BE LESS AS THE HIGH OVER THE MIDWEST CONTINUES TO
EXPAND OVER THE EASTERN CONUS. WITH LITTLE MID/UPPER LVL SUPPORT IN
PLACE OVER THE SOUTHEAST...HAVE DECREASED POPS TO SLIGHT CHANCE OVER
ALL LOCATIONS TUESDAY AFTERNOON. OVERALL HIGH TEMPS SHOULD WARM A
FEW DEGREES OVER THE PERIOD WITH HIGHEST TEMPS ON TUESDAY AS THE
RIDGE EXPANDS OVER THE SOUTHEAST. EXPECT TEMPS TO RANGE IN THE
MID/UPPER 80S ON MONDAY...THEN MID/UPPER 80S ALONG THE COAST TUESDAY
WITH UPPER 80S TO LOWER 90S INLAND.
&&
.LONG TERM /TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/...
A FAIRLY TYPICAL SUMMERTIME PATTERN IS ANTICIPATED TUESDAY NIGHT
INTO THURSDAY AS ONSHORE FLOW OCCURS ALONG THE WESTERN EDGE OF
ATLANTIC HIGH PRESSURE. SUFFICIENT LOW LVL MOISTURE ALONG WITH
GRADUALLY WARMING TEMPS MAY PRODUCE SHOWERS/THUNDERSTORMS EACH
AFTERNOON WITH A SEABREEZE THAT PROGRESSES INLAND. OVERALL TEMPS ARE
EXPECTED TO RANGE IN THE UPPER 80S TO LOWER 90S INLAND UNDER PARTLY
CLOUDY SKIES. CHANCES OF PRECIP MAY INCREASE EARLY NEXT WEEKEND AS
LEE TROUGHING OVER THE MIDLANDS BECOMES ENHANCED BY A LOW PRESSURE
SYSTEM PASSING OVER THE NORTHEAST.
&&
.AVIATION /17Z SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
BIGGEST AVIATION CONCERN THIS TAF CYCLE WILL BE CONVECTION TIMING
AND COVERAGE. ACTIVITY EARLY AFTERNOON WAS MORE PROMINENT AROUND
KSAV SO HAVE INITIALIZED WITH A TEMPO TSRA...AND ONLY INCLUDED VCSH
AT KCHS. AMENDMENTS WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED AS TRENDS EVOLVE THIS
AFTERNOON. PERIODS OF REDUCED CIGS/VSBYS POSSIBLE WITHIN HEAVIER
RAINFALL. OVERNIGHT TOWARDS DAYBREAK...SUB-VFR CIGS WILL BE POSSIBLE
GIVEN PRIOR RAINFALL AND REMNANT MOISTURE BUT DUE TO LOW CONFIDENCE
WILL ONLY MENTION SCT LAYER AT THIS TIME.
EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...CHANCES OF MVFR CIGS/VSBYS ARE POSSIBLE
SUNDAY AND MONDAY WITH SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. VFR CONDITIONS ARE
THEN EXPECTED AT BOTH TERMINALS THROUGH THURSDAY.
&&
.MARINE...
TODAY WINDS/SEA CONDITIONS STARTING OFF FAIRLY TRANQUIL AS THE
GRADIENT IS WEAK IN THE FRONTAL TROUGH ACROSS THE WATERS. IT LOOKS
LIKE THE PRES GRADIENT WILL BEGIN TO TIGHTEN BETWEEN LOW PRES IN
THE NE GULF OF MEXICO AND BUILDING ATLC HIGH PRES TO THE NE BY
TONIGHT. SINCE MODELS SHOWING NOT TOO MUCH WEDGING EFFECT INLAND
OR STRONG TEMP OR MOIST GRADIENTS WE HAVE OPTED NOT TO ISSUE A
SECOND PERIOD SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN WATERS ADJACENT TO
CHARLESTON COUNTY. WE CAPPED CONDITIONS JUST BELOW ADVISORY
CRITERIA FOR NOW. SEAS ELSEWHERE WILL BE ON AN UPTICK AS ONSHORE
FLOW INCREASE LATER TODAY AND TONIGHT.
SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY...HIGH PRESSURE WILL GRADUALLY EXPAND OVER
THE WESTERN ATLANTIC EARLY NEXT WEEK...RESULTING IN A SLIGHTLY
ENHANCED PRESSURE GRADIENT OVER THE WATERS FOR MUCH OF MONDAY. AS A
RESULT...WE COULD SEE A PERIOD OF NEAR SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY LEVEL
WINDS GUSTING TO 20-25 KT AT TIMES...MAINLY OVER OUTER GEORGIA
WATERS. OTHERWISE...EAST WINDS WILL GRADUALLY BECOME SOUTH/SOUTHEAST
AND REMAIN AT OR BELOW 20 KT WITH SEAS BETWEEN 2-5 FT THROUGH
TUESDAY. CONDITIONS WILL THEN CONTINUE TO IMPROVE AND REMAIN WELL
BELOW SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY THRESHOLDS INTO MIDWEEK AS HIGH PRESSURE
DOMINATES THE COASTAL WATERS.
RIP CURRENTS...MARGINAL MODERATE RISK FOR RIP CURRENTS ALONG
COASTAL CHARLESTON COUNTY TODAY...MAINLY FOR LATER IN THE DAY
WHEN ONSHORE WINDS PICK UP.
&&
.CHS WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
GA...FLASH FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 6 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR GAZ087-088-
099>101-114>119-137>141.
SC...FLASH FLOOD WATCH UNTIL 6 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR SCZ040-
042>045-047>052.
MARINE...NONE.
&&
SYNOPSIS...
NEAR TERM...JAQ
SHORT TERM...DPB
LONG TERM...DPB
AVIATION...ECT
MARINE...DPBHAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC 1236 PM EDT SAT JUL 13 2013 GAZ087-088-099>101-114>119-137>141-SCZ040-042>045-047>049-051-052- 141645- JENKINS-SCREVEN-CANDLER-BULLOCH-EFFINGHAM-TATTNALL-EVANS- INLAND BRYAN-COASTAL BRYAN-INLAND CHATHAM-COASTAL CHATHAM-LONG- INLAND LIBERTY-COASTAL LIBERTY-INLAND MCINTOSH-COASTAL MCINTOSH- ALLENDALE-HAMPTON-INLAND COLLETON-DORCHESTER-INLAND BERKELEY- INLAND JASPER-BEAUFORT-COASTAL COLLETON-COASTAL JASPER- TIDAL BERKELEY- 1236 PM EDT SAT JUL 13 2013 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THIS EVENING... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHEAST GEORGIA AND SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS. FLASH FLOOD WATCH. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. THE PROBABILITY FOR WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... PLEASE RELAY ANY REPORTS OF FLOODING TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHARLESTON AT 1-888-383-2024. SCZ050-141645- CHARLESTON- 1236 PM EDT SAT JUL 13 2013 ...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THIS EVENING... ...MODERATE RISK FOR RIP CURRENTS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS. FLASH FLOOD WATCH. MODERATE RISK FOR RIP CURRENTS. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. THE PROBABILITY FOR WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... PLEASE RELAY ANY REPORTS OF FLOODING OR RIP CURRENTS TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHARLESTON AT 1-888-383-2024. AMZ330-350-352-354-374-141645- CHARLESTON HARBOR- WATERS FROM SOUTH SANTEE RIVER TO EDISTO BEACH SC OUT 20 NM- WATERS FROM EDISTO BEACH SC TO SAVANNAH GA OUT 20 NM- WATERS FROM SAVANNAH GA TO ALTAMAHA SOUND GA OUT 20 NM...INCLUDING GRAYS REEF NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY- WATERS FROM SAVANNAH GA TO ALTAMAHA SOUND GA EXTENDING FROM 20 TO 60 NM- 1236 PM EDT SAT JUL 13 2013 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR ATLANTIC COASTAL WATERS. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. HEAVY RAINFALL...SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL PRODUCE PERIODS OF REDUCED VISIBILITIES IN HEAVY RAIN TODAY AND TONIGHT. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. THE PROBABILITY FOR WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... PLEASE RELAY ANY REPORTS OF HAZARDOUS WEATHER TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHARLESTON AT 1-888-383-2024.
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
1109 AM EDT SAT JUL 13 2013
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1201 AM FLASH FLOOD BRUNSON 32.93N 81.19W
07/12/2013 HAMPTON SC EMERGENCY MNGR
EMERGENCY MANAGER REPORTED 5 ROAD CLOSURES IN BRUNSON
DUE TO FLOODING.
&&
EVENT NUMBER CHS1300661
TIMTEPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
1111 AM EDT SAT JUL 13 2013
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1201 AM FLASH FLOOD LURAY 32.81N 81.24W
07/12/2013 HAMPTON SC EMERGENCY MNGR
EMERGENCY MANAGER REPORTED THREE ROAD CLOSURES IN LURAY
DUE TO FLOODING INCLUDING SOCIETY STREET.
&&
EVENT NUMBER CHS1300662
TIMTEPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
1119 AM EDT SAT JUL 13 2013
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1202 AM FLASH FLOOD 1 ENE VARNVILLE 32.86N 81.07W
07/12/2013 HAMPTON SC EMERGENCY MNGR
EMERGENCY MANAGER REPORTED DENNIS BOULEVARD CLOSED DUE
TO FLOODING.
&&
EVENT NUMBER CHS1300663
TIMTEPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
1126 AM EDT SAT JUL 13 2013
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1202 AM FLASH FLOOD ESTILL 32.75N 81.24W
07/12/2013 HAMPTON SC EMERGENCY MNGR
EMERGENCY MANAGER REPORTED 5 ROADS IN ESTILL THAT WERE
CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING.
&&
EVENT NUMBER CHS1300664
TIMTEPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
1135 AM EDT SAT JUL 13 2013
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1203 AM FLASH FLOOD 4 E LENA 32.74N 81.15W
07/12/2013 HAMPTON SC EMERGENCY MNGR
EMERGENCY MANAGER REPORTED THAT SEVERAL ROADS IN THE
LENA AND NIXVILLE AREA WERE CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING.
&&
EVENT NUMBER CHS1300665
TIMTEPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON SC
1233 PM EDT SAT JUL 13 2013
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0901 AM TORNADO 5 NNE FRIPP ISLAND 32.38N 80.46W
07/13/2013 BEAUFORT SC LAW ENFORCEMENT
LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTED A WATERSPOUT THAT BRIEFLY
MOVED ONSHORE ON HUNTING ISLAND AS A TORNADO BEFORE
MOVING BACK OVER WATER AND DISSIPATING. NO DAMAGE WAS
REPORTED.
&&
EVENT NUMBER CHS1300666
TIMTEThe Charleston,SC radar (KCLX), 68 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 18:31 UTC.
5 flash flood, 1 heavy rain. Local standard time, as filed.
Screven County Emergency Manager reported that a dam break is imminent. Highway 17 is flooded between Old Ogeechee Road and Douglas Branch Road. Pond is 78 acres in size.
Several reports of road closures along Highway 301, including Capitola Road and Edenfield Road.
Media reported that several streets in Port Wentworth have flood waters up to car headlights and Traveler's Way was under water.
Highway 17 and Route 301 near Coopersville are closed due to earlier torrential rains and also due to a partial breach of the nearby earthen dam on the pond at Herbert Jacobs Farm.
Screven County Emergency Manager reported that the Herbert Jacobs Dam has been breached. Large trees and debris were swept across Highway 17. Pond was emptied in about 20 minutes.
A Semi truck ran into a downed tree on Old Creek Road. The driver was transported to the hospital for injuries.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Georgia in 2013Every state in 2013This day in weather historyWarnings in Georgia, July 2013
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: 471295, 471296, 471297, 471298, 471299, 471300.