SENECA, SC (WSPA) – The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado touched down in Oconee County early Monday morning.
The Oconee County Emergency Services Emergency Management Director Scott Krein said one person has been killed and several others have been injured.
The Oconee County Coroner’s Office said security guard Jack F. Harvill, 77, of Walhalla, was at the main entrance of the Borg Warner Plant, located on Wells Highway near Seneca, when part of the building collapsed at about 3:30 a.m. Harvill died at the scene.
All Oconee County facilities and operations will be closed Monday, April 13 as a result of the storms.
According to the NWS GSP, a storm survey will begin later Monday morning focusing on the damage in the Seneca area of Oconee County. A final assessment, including results of the survey, are expected to be completed by 5 p.m. Monday afternoon.
In response to the damage caused by Monday morning’s storms, the city of Seneca announced they will enact a curfew from 9 p.m. – 8 a.m. Tuesday morning. If someone needs to travel for work during that time they will need to provide proof of employment.
The American Red Cross said they are working to set up lodging for those whose homes were impacted by the storms.
Click here for latest road closures across the Upstate.
UPDATE 3:30 am: Christy Henderson and Dan Bickford have the latest on this morning’s severe weather threat.
UPDATE (2:56 am): First severe thunderstorm storm warning issued for Rabun, western October, and Stephens counties until 3:15 a.m. Christy Henderson says to expect activity to continue to ramp up from west to east for the next couple of hours.
UPDATE (1:51 am): Severe weather chances are ramping up. So far only warning is flash flood warning for Transylvania and southern Haywood counties in NC.
UPDATE (1:40 am): Flooding continues to be a concern for tonight’s potential severe weather.
UPDATE (11:15 p.m.): The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Warning for Greenville, Spartanburg, and Laurens counties until 11:45 PM EDT
UPDATE (9:00 p.m.) The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado watch for the following counties: Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain, Transylvania (NC) and Rabun (GA) through 2 a.m. Monday morning.
UPDATE (5:20 p.m.)
Flash Flood Watch has been issued for the following counties: Buncombe, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Northern Jackson, Southern Jackson, Swain, Transylvania, and Yancey. Also included: McDowell Mountains, Polk Mountains, Rutherford Mountains, Greenville Mountains, Oconee Mountains, Pickens Mountains
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) – Possible severe weather is expected in the Upstate late Sunday night and Monday morning.
Storm Team 7 is tracking rain for Easter, that will turn into strong storms Sunday evening into Monday morning from about 11 p.m. – 8 a.m.
The main threat will be possible damaging winds, hail and tornadoes.
After rain exits Monday morning, we’ll see a breezy and warm afternoon. Our next chance for showers arrives mid-week.
Let us see what the weather looks like in your area by submitting pictures and videos here.
