After a chaotic weekend of severe weather fueled by the remnants of Tropical Storm Helene, conditions across western North Carolina and parts of South Carolina are finally beginning to stabilize as of Tuesday morning. The flood threat, which loomed large over communities along rivers and in the foothills of the southern Appalachians, is now starting to wane—though not without leaving a trail of disruption and damage.
The persistent low-pressure system responsible for the mayhem lingered over the Southeast, dragging wave after wave of torrential rain and thunderstorms across the region. This same weather system had earlier hammered Gulf Coast cities with flooding and reports of tornadoes and waterspouts, before drifting inland into the Tennessee Valley.
As warm, moisture-heavy air surged in ahead of an approaching cold front, the setup became ripe for concentrated rainfall. Two distinct zones emerged: one along the Southeast coastline, and another across the mountainous terrain of the southern Appalachians, where upslope flow helped squeeze out additional rainfall.
In western North Carolina, already drenched and destabilized from Helene’s remnants, the focus quickly shifted to flood management. Duke Energy, tasked with overseeing 11 lakes in the Catawba River system, moved quickly. Officials opened spillway gates proactively, anticipating rising water levels that were difficult to predict due to the erratic nature of the rainfall.
Residents in low-lying areas were urged to prepare and take precautions amid the fluctuating flood risks, though by Tuesday morning, early signs suggested the worst of the immediate danger was passing.
While flooding dominated headlines in North Carolina, South Carolina faced a different kind of danger: a tornado. The National Weather Service in Columbia confirmed a high-end EF-1 twister touched down in Langley, Aiken County, shortly before 3:30 a.m. Monday.
Key stats from the tornado:
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Wind speed: Estimated at 105 mph
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Path width: Approximately 250 yards
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Path length: About 1.5 miles
The tornado’s fury began near Pinecrest Drive, uprooting trees in Langley Cemetery, snapping branches, and damaging multiple residential rooftops. As it churned northwest, it took out siding, shingles, and even outbuildings. One garage door was completely blown out, and metal roofing was flung several hundred yards, according to the NWS.
Fire departments and other local facilities also sustained damage, and cleanup efforts are now underway across the affected area.
