Thunderstorm Wind — Laurens, South Carolina

2009-06-16 · near Owings, Laurens, South Carolina

Event narrative

NWS survey found an area of extensive straight line wind damage. The damage began near Gray Court, but winds intensified significantly along West Main St in the city of Laurens, mainly in areas from Todd Ave to Laurens High School. Hundreds of trees were snapped off or uprooted. A 29-year-old woman was killed on highway 321 south of the city when a tree fell on her vehicle. Numerous trees fell on homes, causing roof damage. Other trees fell on and destroyed automobiles and outbuildings. For the most part, damage caused directly by the wind was minor. However, a detached garage at the intersection of highway 76 and Stagecoach Rd had its roof blown off, causing two of the walls to collapse. Another small structure was destroyed on LC Drive.

Wider weather episode

Several supercell thunderstorms affected the western Carolinas during the afternoon and evening hours, producing very large hail, wind damage and a few tornadoes.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (34.6440, -82.1200)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 184254. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.