Thunderstorm Wind — Orangeburg, South Carolina

2019-07-13 · near Santee, Orangeburg, South Carolina

Event narrative

SC Dept of Natural Resources reported a likely weather-related fatality on Lake Marion. Six people were on a 30 foot pontoon boat heading to a landing at Lake Marion Resort and Marina in Orangeburg Co when strong winds, and waves estimated at 3 to 4 feet, associated with nearby thunderstorms, caused the boat to overturn. Five people were able to get out from underneath the boat but the sixth boater, a 59 year old male, was found unconscious and later pronounced dead. Two dogs were also lost. Time estimated.

Wider weather episode

Daytime heating, abundant atmospheric moisture, and a surface trough contributed to scattered severe thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening.

A fatality occurred when strong winds capsized a boat on Lake Marion throwing several people that were onboard into the water, one of whom drowned.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (33.4800, -80.4300)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 831164. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.