Tornado warning issued in Columbia & Lexington County as winds, severe weather hit SC
Both a severe thunderstorm warning and a tornado warning were issued Wednesday morning for Columbia and Lexington County, according to the National Weather Service.
The tornado warning is in effect through 8 a.m., and the severe weather warning won’t expire until 8:30 a.m., the National Weather Service said.
Powerful winds could reach 60 mph in Columbia, Lexington, Cayce and West Columbia, according to the National Weather Service. There is a small potential for a wind gust over 74 mph in the eastern Midlands, where there’s also the greatest chance of tornadoes forming.
The tornado warning also includes Columbia, Lexington, as well as Irmo and Chapin, the National Weather Service said.
Dangerous storms also will be near South Congaree, Springdale and Red Bank at about 7:40 a.m., before moving toward West Columbia, Gaston, Pine Ridge, Oak Grove, the Columbia Metropolitan Airport and South Carolina State Farmer’s Market by 7:45 a.m., the National Weather Service said.
The National Weather Service urged anyone in the areas included in the tornado warning to take shelter in a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.
Anyone outdoors, in a mobile home, or a vehicle is told to move to the closest substantial shelter and find protection from flying debris.
Powerful winds and tornadoes could cause considerable damage to trees and branches, in addition to mobile homes, roofs and outbuildings. Vehicles would also be under siege in the case of a tornado.
Damage to trees and branches creates the possibility of downed power lines and outages.
In addition to the warnings, a wind advisory has been issued for all of the Midlands. That advisory is scheduled to run through 7 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.
The severe weather could also affect Richland County and other parts of the Midlands. That includes Fairfield, Newberry and Saluda counties.
Effects from the storms are expected to continue in the Columbia area through 11 a.m., and could linger into the early afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
Regular winds are predicted to blow up to 25 mph, with gusts nearly double that, the National Weather Service said.
“Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution,” The National Weather Service said.”
There is 100% chance of rain Wednesday, but significant amounts of rainfall is not expected, the National Weather Service said. Up to three-quarters of an inch of precipitation is possible, the forecast shows. Localized amounts could be higher.
In addition to dangerous winds and rain, another severe weather effect that could impact the area is pea-sized hail.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
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This story was originally published March 5, 2025 at 7:23 AM with the headline "Tornado warning issued in Columbia & Lexington County as winds, severe weather hit SC."
