⛈️ Strong thunderstorms threaten Western North Carolina on Thursday
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina, has issued a severe thunderstorm alert for parts of Western North Carolina this Thursday afternoon, including Greater Burke, Eastern McDowell, and Greater Rutherford counties. The warning remains in effect until 5:30 p.m. EDT.
As of 4:55 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong storm cell approximately 11 miles southeast of Marion, pushing northeast at 15 mph. The storm is capable of producing marble-sized hail (0.5 inches in diameter) and wind gusts reaching up to 50 mph.
The warning covers areas such as South Mountains State Park and Dysartsville. According to the NWS, “gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to outdoor items is also possible.”
⚡ Lightning safety tips during thunderstorm activity
Lightning strikes the U.S. about 25 million times each year, mostly during summer months, and causes around 20 deaths annually. The risk of a lightning strike increases significantly as a storm approaches, peaking when the storm is overhead, and decreasing once it moves away.
To stay safe, if you’re outdoors and a storm is approaching, have a plan to reach shelter. When thunder is heard, find indoor refuge immediately. Once inside, avoid corded phones, electrical appliances, plumbing, and metal-framed windows or doors.
Remain indoors for at least 30 minutes after the last thunderclap before going outside again.
If shelter isn’t available, avoid open fields, hilltops, and isolated tall objects. In wooded areas, stick close to shorter trees. While in groups, spread out to avoid multiple injuries from a single strike. Do not camp on high ground; use valleys or low areas instead. Avoid contact with metal, water, and wet materials, as these are highly conductive, even though they do not attract lightning.
🚗 Driving in rain: how to stay safe
If you’re on the road during the storm, turn on your headlights—even during daylight—to improve visibility and help others see your vehicle. Stick to middle lanes and elevated roads, since water tends to pool along shoulders and dips.
Avoid puddles and low-lying flooded areas, which increase the risk of hydroplaning or even losing control of your vehicle. Steer clear of larger vehicles such as trucks or buses, whose spray can reduce your visibility drastically. Never attempt to drive through deep water, which may damage your vehicle’s engine or electronics and sweep it off the road due to strong current.
💧 What is hydroplaning and how to handle it
Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle glides on a thin layer of water, losing contact with the road. This phenomenon is caused by water building up faster than tires can displace it, resulting in a dangerous loss of traction.
Main contributors to hydroplaning include:
- Speed: Higher speed reduces tire grip. Slow down when roads are wet.
- Water depth: Even a thin layer can cause a slide.
- Tire tread: Bald tires can’t cut through water efficiently. Check tread depth before driving.
If your vehicle begins to hydroplane, ease off the accelerator—do not brake hard. Steer gently in the direction of the skid until you regain traction. If your car is equipped with anti-lock brakes, apply them normally. Otherwise, pump brakes softly until control is restored.
🌩️ Reminder
This weather alert is valid until 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. Residents and travelers in Western North Carolina, particularly near South Mountains State Park, should remain vigilant, monitor local TV and radio stations, and be prepared for intensifying storm conditions.
