Severe thunderstorms muscled across Columbus County on Monday afternoon, pelting parts of the area with half-dollar-size hail and whipping up straight-line wind gusts near 60 mph. Emergency officials warned the fast-moving storms could dent vehicles, knock down large limbs and trigger scattered power outages as the line raced east toward the South Carolina border.
At 2:31 p.m., the National Weather Service in Wilmington issued an updated severe thunderstorm warning for portions of Columbus County. Forecasters reported a storm near Cherry Grove, roughly 10 miles east of Mullins, moving east at about 30 mph. Radar indicated hail up to 1.25 inches in diameter and wind gusts as high as 60 mph, with the warning set to expire at 3:15 p.m.
Communities named in that warning included Tabor City, Bethel, Williams, Cherry Grove, Dulah, Nakina, Mollie, Sidney, Clarendon and Green Sea, the Raleigh News & Observer reported. Residents were asked to report hail or wind damage, including downed trees or large limbs, by calling the Wilmington forecast office at 1-800-697-3901, according to the Raleigh News & Observer.
What to expect
Hail around 1.25 inches in diameter is large enough to dent car panels and crack glass, while 60 mph wind gusts can snap tree branches and cause localized outages, the weather service warned. Residents are urged to stay indoors, keep clear of windows and avoid going outside until storms move out of the area, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington.
Safety tips
When lightning is nearby, forecasters say the safest place is inside a well-built structure. Roughly 25 million lightning strikes occur across the U.S. each year, leading to about 20 fatalities annually. The agency also advises avoiding corded phones and plumbing and waiting 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before heading back outside, guidance outlined by The State. If you must drive through heavy rain, slow down, steer clear of standing water and give extra room to large trucks to cut the risk of hydroplaning.
Local broadcasters and official weather products are expected to carry additional updates as the line shifts east. Outlets across the region are pushing the latest warnings in real time, according to the Raleigh News & Observer. Anyone who encounters downed power lines or significant structural damage should contact local emergency services and report what they find to the weather service when it is safe to do so.
