Tropical Storm in Northwestern Orangeburg, South Carolina

Many trees and power lines downed. Some roads closed. Sections of the area were without power. Falling trees damaged numerous structures. Across all of Orangeburg county, at least 28 homes sustained some level of damage including 5 destroyed and 15 with major damage. NWS analysis estimated maximum gusts were between 70-80 mph. Maximum wind measured at North Air Force Auxiliary Field (KXNO) was 28 kts sustained (32 mph) with a maximum gust of 45 kts (52 mph). Flooding occurred in areas with the maximum rainfall measured in a CoCoRaHS gage east of North of 8.74 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.