Tropical Storm — Sumter, South Carolina

2024-09-27 · Sumter, South Carolina

Event narrative

Many trees and power lines downed. Some were roads closed. Sections of the county were without power. A few structures damaged by falling trees. Shaw Air Force Base (KSSC) measured a maximum sustained wind of 26 kts (30 mph) and a maximum gust of 45 kts (52 mph). Some minor flooding observed with 1 to 3 inches of rain through the entire county. Maximum measured rainfall was 2.57 inches at a CoCoRaHS gage north of Shaw AFB.

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 1210806. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.