The Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office issued the following statement in regards to a series of dangerous incidents involving storm‑spotter vehicles during the severe weather outbreak that impacted northern Greenwood County, including the Madison area, on Sunday, May 31.
“As severe thunderstorms, rotation, and flash‑flood conditions developed across the northern portion of the county, an unusually high number of independent storm‑spotter vehicles converged on highways and rural roads. Deputies and emergency personnel encountered multiple vehicles blocking intersections, parking along narrow roadways, and creating traffic congestion at a time when rapid movement of emergency responders was essential.
One storm‑spotter vehicle attempted to cross a flooded roadway and became stalled in swift‑moving water, requiring a water‑rescue response. Fire, Emergency Management, and law‑enforcement units were forced to divert from active storm operations to conduct the rescue, placing both the stranded individual and responding personnel at unnecessary risk.
During severe weather, our responders must be able to move freely,” the statement reads. “When untrained spotters or sightseers block roadways or enter floodwaters, they endanger themselves, the public, and the first responders trying to protect this county.”
Greenwood County officials emphasize the following points: Severe‑weather operations rely on clear, unobstructed roadways for emergency response.
Only trained, credentialed storm spotters operating under recognized agencies should be in the field during active weather events.
Flooded roadways are extremely dangerous; attempting to cross them is one of the leading causes of storm‑related fatalities.
Individuals who obstruct emergency operations or ignore roadway closures may face enforcement action.
The Sheriff’s Office extends appreciation to the volunteer fire departments, dispatchers, and Emergency Management personnel who responded swiftly despite the challenges created by roadway congestion.
“We understand the public’s interest in severe weather, but safety must come first. When untrained individuals put themselves in harm’s way, they also put our responders in harm’s way.”
At approximately 9:43 p.m., Greenwood County dispatch received information from the National Weather Service of a possible tornado near Madison. The sirens were set off and Greenwood County Fire was paged out for storm spotting. No Damage was reported, as of presstime.
