Thunderstorm Wind in Barnwell County, South Carolina

A National Weather Service Survey Team confirmed a microburst just west-southwest

of the Town of Blackville in Barnwell County. The microburst produced winds up to 90

mph and was associated with a strong line of convection that moved across the

region during the late morning hours of January 4th. The damage occurred on the

property of the Clemson University Edisto Research facility. The microburst initially

overturned and damaged a pivot irrigation system and damaged one of the three guide

wire supports to a 50 foot tower along Pleasant Home Road. The damage continued

northeast where a cluster of trees were uprooted along the southeast side of a road

that traverses a dam along Toby Creek. The microburst continued northeast and

produced damage to a cluster of trees near a small cemetery. Approximately a half

dozen hardwood trees from oaks to cedars were uprooted. There was one hardwood

tree that was snapped and a small cedar tree that was snapped near the top at this

location. Just before the microburst ended it downed two power poles. There was no

apparent damage as the path neared U.S. Highway 78, Dexter Street. The length of

the event was just over 1 mile and the width of the damage was approximately 50

yards.

A prefrontal band of showers and thunderstorms produced some wind damage, as well as several tornadoes in the central Midlands of SC in the morning.