UPDATE: A weather warning is in effect for Union County early Sunday evening, the NWS says.

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NWS Greenville-Spartanburg issued an updated report Sunday at 4:46 p.m. for severe thunderstorms through 5:30 p.m. in Union County.

Residents can expect wind gusts of up to 40 mph.

“At 4:46 p.m., Doppler radar detected a severe thunderstorm near Monroe moving east at 25 mph,” the NWS said. “Gusty winds can knock down tree limbs and sweep loose objects around.”

Locations affected by the alert include Monroe, Wesley Chapel, Wingate, Marshville, Mineral Springs, Sturdivants, Unionville and Indian Trail.

The NWS says, “If you are outdoors, consider finding shelter inside a building.”

This warning is in effect until 5:30 p.m.

What to do when a thunderstorm approaches?

There are approximately 25 million lightning strikes in the United States each year, most of which occur during the summer months. The NWS reports that these strikes kill about 20 people each year. The likelihood of lightning strikes increases as the storm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly overhead. As the storm moves away, this probability decreases.

Here are some tips to stay safe during a thunderstorm:

• To reduce the risk of lightning strikes when going outside, make a plan to move to a safer location.
• If the sky turns ominous and there is thunder, find a safe place to hide.
• Inside, refrain from touching corded phones, electrical appliances, plumbing fixtures, windows and doors.
• Wait 30 minutes after the last lightning or thunder before heading back out.

If it is impossible to find shelter indoors:

• Avoid open fields, hilltops and ridges.
• Stay away from tall, isolated trees or other tall objects. If you are in the forest, stay close to shorter trees.
• When in a group, keep your distance so that the current is not transmitted between people.
• If you’re camping in an open area, camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying area. Remember, a tent does not protect from light.
• Keep away from water, wet objects and metal objects. Although water and metal do not attract lightning, they are good conductors of electricity.

What to do on the road in the rain?

• Turn on the headlights. Even in daylight, using headlights can help improve visibility and let other drivers know where you are.
• On the road: Drive in the middle lanes and stay on high ground. Rainwater tends to accumulate along the edges of roads.
• Avoid puddles. Driving into puddles or areas with low rainwater levels may result in hydroplaning or loss of vehicle control.
• Do not follow large vehicles closely. Large vehicles such as trucks or buses can create splashes of water that can reduce your visibility.
• Avoid flooded areas. If you encounter a flooded road, turn 180 degrees and go back. Powerful flood waters can throw drivers off the road. Driving through deep water can also cause damage to your vehicle’s mechanical and electrical systems.

What is hydroplaning?

Hydroplaning is a term used to describe a situation where a vehicle begins to slide uncontrollably on a wet road.

This occurs when water accumulates in front of the tire faster than the weight of the vehicle can push the water off the road. The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide through the thin layer of water between the tires and the road, causing the driver to lose control. The three biggest factors for hydroplaning are:

1. Vehicle speed. As vehicle speed increases, tire traction and steering ability decrease. In wet weather, drive at a reduced speed.
2. Water depth. The deeper the water, the faster the car loses traction. No matter how deep the water, even a thin layer can cause hydroplaning.
3. Tire tread depth. It is important to check your tire tread before heading out on the road, as low or no tread can cause you to skid.

Here’s what you need to know if your car hydroplanes:

• Release the gas pedal. Release the gas to slow the vehicle until the tires gain traction.
• Turn into a skid. Turning into a skid can help the vehicle’s tires realign and regain control.
• Make sure the tires are touching the road again. During a skid, wait until the tires touch the road again, then carefully straighten the wheels to regain control.
• If necessary, brake carefully. Brake normally if the car has anti-lock brakes, and bleed the brakes carefully if the car is older.

Source: National Weather Service

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This story was originally published June 28, 2026, 4:22 pm.