Lightning in McCormick County, South Carolina

Lightning May 22, 2026 · McCormick County, South Carolina

$10K

Damage as recorded

Where the report was made, with tornadoes recorded within 15 miles over the years.

What the National Weather Service wrote

McCormick County Emergency Services reported a structure fire at the McCormick County High School gym due to a lightning strike.

The wider storm

A diffuse frontal boundary stalled across the northern forecast area 5/22 with broad troughing present. Areas south of the boundary saw generous heating with MLCAPE values nearing 1500-2000 J/kg and weak deep layer shear near 25-30 kts. This heating across the boundary lead to a couple strong storms, but one that produced tree damage near Thomson GA and started a fire at McCormick High School in McCormick County SC.

Began near Plum Branch (33.8684, -82.2730).

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event 1335716. Narratives are written by the National Weather Service forecast office that issued the report.

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