With a mean upper trough axis to our west, a lead impulse moved through our region in a SW flow aloft Wednesday.  At the surface, a stationary front was stretched across central SC/GA, with a cold front to our west, that came through late Wednesday night. Upper energy, diurnal heating, strong low to mid level jets, and the surface front, contributed to moderate to strong instabilities, along with strong shear. This produced severe thunderstorm activity, including a few tornadoes, along with numerous reports of strong damaging straight-line wind gusts and large hail. In addition, training cells in a moisture-rich environment, contributed to locally heavy rainfall and flash flooding in a few locations.

Hail in RICHLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 05-APR-17 13:30:00 to 05-APR-17 13:33:00 (EST-5)
Location: COLUMBIA
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.01K
Crop damage: 0.01K
Reported by: Public

Dime to nickel size hail reported in downtown Columbia.

Hail in NEWBERRY, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 05-APR-17 11:49:00 to 05-APR-17 11:54:00 (EST-5)
Location: TRINITY
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Media, via social media, posted image of 1 inch hail in Newberry.

Hail in LEXINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 05-APR-17 13:20:00 to 05-APR-17 13:24:00 (EST-5)
Location: ARTHUR
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Public

Public reported golf ball size hail at the rental car service facility near the Columbia Metropolitan Airport.

Flash Flood in RICHLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 05-APR-17 13:43:00 to 05-APR-17 15:12:00 (EST-5)
Location: OLYMPIA MILLS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.10K
Crop damage: 0.10K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The USGS stream gage along Rocky Branch Creek at the intersection of Main and Whaley St reached the flood stage of 7.2 feet at 243 pm EDT, crested at 11.47 feet at 330 pm EDT, and fell back below flood stage at 4:12 pm EDT.

Hail in SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 05-APR-17 14:33:00 to 05-APR-17 14:37:00 (EST-5)
Location: DALZELL
Magnitude: 1.25 
Reported by: Public

Half dollar size hail photographed near Dalzell.

Tornado in LEXINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 05-APR-17 13:06:00 to 05-APR-17 13:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: PROVIDENCE
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Reported by: NWS Employee

Brief tornado touchdown uprooted a tree at the intersection of Old Cherokee Rd and Rollingwood Dr.

Hail in RICHLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 05-APR-17 13:35:00 to 05-APR-17 13:39:00 (EST-5)
Location: LEESBURG
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in RICHLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 05-APR-17 13:45:00 to 05-APR-17 13:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: HOPKINS
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Report received via social media of a tree that was uprooted and fell on a small shed. An additional large hardwood tree was snapped nearby.

Hail in MCCORMICK, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 05-APR-17 11:20:00 to 05-APR-17 11:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: WILLINGTON
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.01K
Crop damage: 0.01K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Dime to nickel size hail reported near Willington along Hwy 81.

Flash Flood in RICHLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 05-APR-17 14:40:00 to 05-APR-17 15:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: ARTHURTOWN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.10K
Reported by: Public

A car stalled in flood waters near the intersection of Key Rd and Market Rd. Report received via social media.

Thunderstorm Wind in RICHLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 05-APR-17 13:45:00 to 05-APR-17 13:55:00 (EST-5)
Location: HOPKINS
Magnitude: 74.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

NWS Storm Survey Team confirmed straight line thunderstorm winds uprooted several hardwood and softwood trees along Chappell Creek Lane, Chappell Creek Rd, and Apricot Rd just south of Hopkins, SC. The team estimated peak wind gusts of 85 MPH.

Thunderstorm Wind in LEXINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 05-APR-17 13:23:00 to 05-APR-17 13:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: GILBERT
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

NWS Storm Survey Team found a couple of large trees that had some large branches spanned off due to straight line thunderstorm winds. Estimated peak wind gusts up to 70 MPH.

Heavy Rain in ORANGEBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 05-APR-17 14:00:00 to 05-APR-17 15:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: HOLLY HILL
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

CoCoRaHS station SC-OR-5 reported 1.06 inches of rain within 1 hour, with minor flooding.

Thunderstorm Wind in LEXINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 05-APR-17 13:09:00 to 05-APR-17 13:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: LEXINGTON
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Photo relayed via social media of a tree down across Railroad Ave in Lexington.

Hail in MCCORMICK, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 05-APR-17 11:27:00 to 05-APR-17 11:32:00 (EST-5)
Location: WILLINGTON
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Large hail and gusty winds at Hwy 81 and Morrah Bridge Rd.

Hail in MCCORMICK, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 05-APR-17 11:27:00 to 05-APR-17 11:32:00 (EST-5)
Location: WILLINGTON
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Large hail and gusty winds at Hwy 81 and Morrah Bridge Rd.

Hail in LEXINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 05-APR-17 12:42:00 to 05-APR-17 12:46:00 (EST-5)
Location: LEESVILLE
Magnitude: 1.50 
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Amateur radio operator reported ping pong ball size hail on Main St in Batesburg-Leesville.

Thunderstorm Wind in EDGEFIELD, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 05-APR-17 12:25:00 to 05-APR-17 12:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: JOHNSTON
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Trees were downed near the First Baptist Church.

Thunderstorm Wind in AIKEN, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 05-APR-17 13:12:00 to 05-APR-17 13:17:00 (EST-5)
Location: JACKSONVILLE
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Trees were downed and blocking a highway in Burnettown.

Thunderstorm Wind in AIKEN, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 05-APR-17 14:21:00 to 05-APR-17 14:26:00 (EST-5)
Location: COUCHTON
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

SC Highway Patrol reported trees down in roadway at 1735 Hatchaway Bridge Rd at Langdon Rd.

Flash Flood in RICHLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 05-APR-17 14:45:00 to 05-APR-17 15:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: EAU CLAIRE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.10K
Crop damage: 0.10K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

USGS gage along Smith Branch at North Main St near Earlewood Park crested at 10.29 feet.  Flood stage is 9 feet.

Thunderstorm Wind in LEXINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 05-APR-17 13:21:00 to 05-APR-17 13:26:00 (EST-5)
Location: ARTHUR
Magnitude: 55.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Tree down blocking roadway at Dogwood Trail and Woodside Rd.

Hail in LEXINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 05-APR-17 13:18:00 to 05-APR-17 13:22:00 (EST-5)
Location: RED BANK
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in SALUDA, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 05-APR-17 12:30:00 to 05-APR-17 12:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: RIDGE SPG
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported multiple trees down on cars in a dealership lot. Several cars were damaged.

Hail in AIKEN, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 05-APR-17 13:12:00 to 05-APR-17 13:16:00 (EST-5)
Location: JACKSONVILLE
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.01K
Crop damage: 0.01K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Amateur radio report of dime size hail in Burnettown.

Heavy Rain in AIKEN, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 05-APR-17 13:30:00 to 05-APR-17 14:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: GRANITEVILLE
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

CoCoRaHS station SC-AK-75 reported 1.69 inches of rain in 60 minutes, along with pea sized hail.

Thunderstorm Wind in LEXINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 05-APR-17 13:23:00 to 05-APR-17 13:24:00 (EST-5)
Location: (CAE)COLUMBIA METRO
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Reported by: ASOS

A 59 kt, or 68 mph, wind gust was measured at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport by ASOS. Also, a couple of small trees were downed near the Platt Springs Rd entrance to Columbia Metropolitan Airport.

Thunderstorm Wind in EDGEFIELD, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 05-APR-17 12:13:00 to 05-APR-17 12:18:00 (EST-5)
Location: JOHNSTON
Magnitude: 75.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Roof was blown off a furniture store. Widespread straight line wind damage in Johnston with dozens of large hardwood trees uprooted.

Tornado in EDGEFIELD, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 05-APR-17 12:17:00 to 05-APR-17 12:19:00 (EST-5)
Location: JOHNSTON
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Tornado damage began in Edgefield County on the east side of Johnston near Winthrow Avenue and continued northeast into Saluda County. Widespread hardwood and pine trees were uprooted and snapped causing damage to multiple homes and vehicles. Most of the damage was EF-0 and EF-1 in Edgefield County. Widespread large hardwoods were uprooted and snapped with some trees having the bark stripped off. One female received minor injuries when a branch fell on her vehicle causing her windshield to shatter.

Tornado in SALUDA, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 05-APR-17 16:19:00 to 05-APR-17 16:28:00 (EST-5)
Location: WARD
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado touched down in Edgefield County near Johnston and moved to the ENE  into Saluda County through Ward before dissipating northwest of Ridge Spring off of
Murphy Farm Road. Widespread hardwood and pine trees were uprooted and snapped causing damage to multiple homes and vehicles. Most of the damage was EF-0 and EF-1, but EF-2 damage with peak wind speeds near 115 mph was noted near Ward.
Widespread large hardwoods were uprooted and snapped with some trees having the bark stripped off. In addition, the top of a concrete silo was destroyed.

Thunderstorm Wind in RICHLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 05-APR-17 13:46:00 to 05-APR-17 13:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: LYKESLAND
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Power lines reported down at Garners Ferry and Trotter Rd.