Tropical Storm — Barnwell, South Carolina

2018-10-10 to 2018-10-11 · Barnwell, South Carolina

Event narrative

Winds associated with Tropical Storm Michael downed trees throughout the county. The highest measured peak wind gust in the county was 47 MPH at Barnwell Regional Airport at 0555 EST (0655 EDT) on October 11.

Wider weather episode

An area of disturbed weather over the NW Caribbean Sea organized and became Tropical Depression #14 early on Sunday October 7th. The cyclone continued to organize while moving very slowly north, just east of the Yucatan peninsula, becoming Tropical Storm Michael on Sunday afternoon October 7th. The cyclone further developed while moving slowly north, reaching Hurricane status Monday morning October 8th. The cyclone accelerated northward into the Gulf of Mexico while continuing to strengthen, making landfall on the Florida panhandle as a category 4 hurricane Wednesday morning October 10th. The cyclone then turned to the NE and accelerated further, while weakening over land, moving through the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) of GA and the Midlands of SC as a Tropical Storm, late Wednesday night October 10th into the morning of Thursday October 11th.

The storm spawned 4 weak tornadoes across the Midlands of SC, 3 in Orangeburg Co and 1 in Richland Co.

Across the Midlands of SC, the highest measured peak wind gust, associated with the cyclone, was 53 MPH at Orangeburg Municipal Airport. Numerous reports of downed trees were received. The highest total rainfall amount was 8.23 inches at the Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge in central Chesterfield Co SC. Some reports of flooding were received.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 789367. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.