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\u26c8\ufe0f Severe thunderstorm warning expired at 9 p.m. for Upstate South Carolina<\/strong><\/p>\n The Severe Thunderstorm Warning<\/strong> issued for Cherokee<\/strong>, Laurens<\/strong>, Spartanburg<\/strong>, and Union Counties<\/strong> in Upstate South Carolina<\/strong> officially expired at 9 p.m. local time<\/strong>, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) Greenville-Spartanburg SC<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The storms that originally triggered the warning have weakened below severe limits<\/strong> and are no longer considered an immediate threat to life or property<\/strong>. Nevertheless, gusty winds<\/strong> may continue to impact the area as these thunderstorms move through.<\/p>\n Importantly, a Severe Thunderstorm Watch<\/strong> remains active until 11 p.m.<\/strong> across Upstate South Carolina<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u26a1 Lightning danger remains despite weakened storms<\/strong><\/p>\n Lightning strikes the United States<\/strong> roughly 25 million times each year<\/strong>, especially during the summer months<\/strong>, and results in around 20 deaths annually<\/strong>, according to the National Weather Service<\/strong>.<\/p>\n As a thunderstorm approaches, the likelihood of lightning increases<\/strong>, peaking when the storm is overhead and gradually decreasing as it moves away.<\/p>\n To reduce lightning risk, always have a clear plan to reach a safe location<\/strong> when spending time outdoors. If thunder is audible or the sky looks threatening, immediately seek shelter<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Once indoors, avoid contact with corded phones<\/strong>, plumbing<\/strong>, electrical equipment<\/strong>, windows<\/strong>, and doors<\/strong>. Wait at least 30 minutes after the last lightning strike or thunderclap<\/strong> before venturing back outside.<\/p>\n If indoor shelter is not available<\/strong>, avoid open fields<\/strong>, hilltops<\/strong>, and isolated trees<\/strong>. Stick to low terrain<\/strong> such as valleys<\/strong> or ravines<\/strong>, and keep away from water<\/strong>, wet surfaces<\/strong>, or metal objects<\/strong>, which are excellent conductors of electricity.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \ud83d\ude97 Driving tips for heavy rain in stormy weather<\/strong><\/p>\n Rainy conditions<\/strong> can significantly impair driving safety, especially when storms are active. Here’s how to minimize risks<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Drive with your headlights on<\/strong>, even during the day, to increase visibility.<\/p>\n Stick to middle lanes<\/strong> and higher road elevations<\/strong>, since rainwater tends to collect near curbs and shoulders<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Avoid puddles<\/strong>\u2014hydroplaning can occur with just a thin layer of water, and skidding out of control<\/strong> becomes a real danger.<\/p>\n Keep a safe distance from large vehicles<\/strong> such as buses<\/strong> or trucks<\/strong>, which generate water spray that can obstruct your view<\/strong>.<\/p>\n If a road is flooded<\/strong>, turn around immediately<\/strong>. Flash floods<\/strong> can be deceptively powerful, often strong enough to sweep away vehicles<\/strong>. Deep water may also damage the vehicle\u2019s engine and electronics<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \ud83c\udf0a What is hydroplaning and how to regain control<\/strong><\/p>\n Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle slides uncontrollably<\/strong> on a wet road surface<\/strong>. It happens when water builds up in front of the tires<\/strong>, preventing proper contact with the road.<\/p>\n The main causes of hydroplaning include:<\/p>\n Vehicle speed<\/strong> \u2013 Higher speeds reduce the tire’s grip, making it more likely for the vehicle to lose contact with the road.<\/p>\n Water depth<\/strong> \u2013 Even shallow water can cause tires to float and slip.<\/p>\n Tire tread wear<\/strong> \u2013 Bald or worn tires cannot push water away effectively, increasing the risk of skidding.<\/p>\n If your vehicle begins to hydroplane:<\/p>\n Lift your foot off the gas<\/strong> immediately.<\/p>\n Steer gently in the direction of the skid<\/strong> to help the tires realign with the road.<\/p>\n Wait until you feel the tires reconnect with the pavement<\/strong>, then carefully straighten the wheel<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Use gentle braking<\/strong>\u2014if your vehicle has anti-lock brakes (ABS)<\/strong>, brake normally; otherwise, pump the brakes slowly and carefully<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u26c8\ufe0f Severe thunderstorm warning expired at 9 p.m. for Upstate South Carolina The Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for Cherokee, Laurens, Spartanburg, and Union Counties in Upstate South Carolina officially expired at 9 p.m. local time, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) Greenville-Spartanburg SC. The storms that originally triggered the warning have weakened below severe […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":3820,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3819","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n