Tropical Storm — Edgefield, South Carolina

2024-09-27 · Edgefield, South Carolina

Event narrative

Widespread damage to trees and power lines across the county leading to widespread and extended road closures. Most of the county was without power for an extended period of time. Falling trees caused damage to structures across the county. At least 240 homes sustained some level of damage including 11 destroyed and 65 with major damage. South Carolina Forestry estimated 24 million dollars in timber loss. A RAWS site in Sumter National Forest along Hwy 378 recorded a max wind gust of 52 mph. NWS storm survey estimated that max wind gusts were around 90 to 100 mph based on the extent of damage, especially near the Savannah River. Areas of flooding, especially in the northern part of the county where two CoCoRaHS gages recorded two rainfall totals exceeding 13 inches (max was 13.17 inches).

Wider weather episode

Tropical Storm Helene formed in the NW Caribbean Sea on September 24. Helene moved northward into the Gulf of Mexico where it strengthened into a hurricane on September 25. Helene made landfall as a major hurricane in the Big Bend area of Florida the night of September 26 before quickly moving inland into east central Georgia by early morning on September 27. Helene weakened to a strong tropical storm and produced widespread significant wind damage, including wind gusts above 100 mph across east central Georgia and central South Carolina as well as numerous tornadoes. Numerous fatalities and injuries were reported associated with the passage of Helene.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1209390. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.