Strong Wind — Richland, South Carolina

2020-01-03 · Richland, South Carolina

Event narrative

A tree fell onto a home on Beechwood Lane in Irmo, SC, killing a 63-year-old woman who was inside the home. It is suspected that non-severe non-thunderstorm wind gusts, estimated to be around 35 MPH, combined with loose soils saturated from earlier heavy rainfall, contributed to the tree falling.

Wider weather episode

A band of heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms, associated with a cold frontal passage, moved through the Midlands of SC during the late afternoon and evening of Friday, January 3rd. The activity produced heavy downpours and gusty winds. An isolated severe thunderstorm produced wind damage in Aiken County, SC. A presumed combination of saturated soils from earlier heavy rainfall and non-severe winds toppled a tree onto a home in Irmo, SC, killing a woman inside.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 863829. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.