Tropical Storm in Lee, South Carolina

Many trees and power lines downed. Some roads closed. Sections of the county were without power. A few structures damaged by falling trees. An individual was killed in a motor vehicle accident with a downed tree. Some areas of minor flooding with the maximum measured rainfall from a COOP observer in Bishopville of 3.00 inches.

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.