Tropical Storm — Bamberg, South Carolina

2024-09-27 · Bamberg, South Carolina

Event narrative

Widespread trees and power lines down. Many roads closed, some for an extended period of time. Large sections of the county without power. Falling trees caused damage to structures across the county. At least 29 homes sustained some level of damage including 17 with major damage. NWS analysis estimates max wind gusts were 70-80 mph. Areas of flooding with generally between 5 to 7 inches of rain through the county. Highest total measured came from a COOP observer in Bamberg who measured two total of 8.55 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 1209662. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.