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High-speed chase attorney in Lexington, SC
If you've seen any action movies from the 80's or 90's, chances are you've seen fictionalized police chases. On the big screen, they often involve big, fiery explosions and speeding cars, which inevitably screech through intersections and cause havoc before the bad guy is caught and the damage is forgotten. And while these fake high-speed pursuits are fun to watch from the comfort of a movie theater, in real life, police chases can be devastating. That's true not only for the people involved in the chase but for the innocent bystanders whose lives change as a result. Often, these innocent bystanders are doing nothing more than minding their business. And then, in the blink of an eye, their life in the Palmetto State is changed forever.
Unfortunately, South Carolina is one of the leading states in terms of police crash fatalities, with 59 drivers killed in vehicle crashes during police pursuits between 2014 and 2018. This alarming statistic highlights the serious risk that being involved in a police chase poses to drivers. While police chases can sometimes be necessary, they should always be handled with extreme caution.
It is essential that law enforcement officers operate their vehicles with due regard for the safety of all persons, particularly when in pursuit and traveling at excessive speeds, as required by South Carolina law. If an uninvolved driver or pedestrian is injured as a result of a police chase, they have the right to seek just compensation for their losses through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. It's important to remember that police chases are a threat to road users, even if they are sometimes necessary. If you or a loved one has been injured in a police pursuit, it's time to contact a high-speed chase attorney in Lexington, SC, from Lauren Taylor Law.
The First Steps Toward Compensation Begins at Lauren Taylor Law
It's a well-known fact that high-speed police pursuits and chases can pose a significant threat to bystanders, as evidenced by numerous documented incidents across the country. Shockingly, over one-third of chase-related fatalities involve innocent individuals who happen to be near the scene. They're not even involved in the chase.
To hold someone accountable for such tragedies, restrictions on police pursuits have been put in place by nearly every state, city, and local jurisdiction, including South Carolina. Nonetheless, high-speed chases continue to occur, and innocent bystanders continue to suffer injuries and fatalities as a result. If you find yourself in such a situation, a skilled police pursuit attorney in Lexington, SC, can help investigate the circumstances of your crash and determine who is responsible for your financial recovery.
Parties that may be responsible for your compensation may include the following
- Law Enforcement Officers
- Fleeing Suspects
- A Government Entity Involved in the High-Speed Chase
- County or City Officials in South Carolina
- A Different Third-Party
Why Choose Lauren Taylor Law?
Unlike many law firms in South Carolina, at Lauren Taylor Law, our seasoned high-speed police chase lawyers focus on our clients first, and work tirelessly to fight for your or your loved one's rights and compensation. If you have been injured or you have lost a relative due to injuries sustained in a police pursuit, we're here to help with every aspect of your lawsuit, including:
- Liability Determination
- Interviewing Doctors and Documenting Injuries
- Filling Out & Filing Paperwork
- Determining Damage Amounts
- Collecting Evidence from the Police Chase
- Litigation & Courtroom Appearances
- Fearless Negotiation
The simple truth is that obtaining compensation for your injuries and preparing for litigation is a complex process. Your high-speed chase lawyer from Lauren Taylor Law will help explain the next steps in your case and walk you through how to proceed next. That way, you can move forward with your life as soon as possible. When it's time to fight for the compensation you rightly deserve, our team is here to help lead the charge.
The Effects of South Carolina Police Chase Accidents
Based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 2.5 million emergency room visits in the United States were caused by car accidents in 2012. Many of these accidents were due to speeding. When you combine speeding with a driver who is attempting to evade police and officers who are in pursuit, the likelihood of an accident increases significantly.
Accidents can occur in high-speed police chases for many reasons. Some of the most common include the following
Worn-Out Car Parts
When evading the police, vehicles are subjected to tremendous stress, which can lead to the wear and tear of different components. For instance, tires often fail due to overheating and the intense pressure they are subjected to during a chase. When a tire blows on the highway while driving at high speeds, crashes are likely.
Poor Reaction Times
At high speeds, drivers have less time to react, which can leave them unable to respond to other drivers on the road and keep everyone safe. Unfortunately, accidents are likely to occur when one of the drivers in a police pursuit makes a mistake.
Driving Aggressively
Drivers who exhibit aggressive behavior on the road, such as abruptly cutting off other vehicles or weaving between lanes excessively, are at an increased risk of causing an accident. This can occur due to a loss of control during maneuvers or misjudging the distance between cars, resulting in a collision. Unfortunately, some drivers intentionally cause these accidents as a means of eluding or obstructing law enforcement.
Police officers and departments often restrict pursuits to unpopulated areas or terminate them prematurely to safeguard pedestrians, bystanders, and other drivers. The risk of causing an accident is simply too high to pursue most fleeing drivers effectively.
Short-Term Effects of High-Speed Chase Accidents
Accidents caused by police chases can result in severe injuries and significant expenses in the short term. Emergency medical care and ongoing treatment might be necessary to address your injuries, and the amount of assistance you receive from your insurance will depend on your coverage. It is crucial to prioritize your health by seeking proper care to avoid developing more serious or life-threatening conditions.
Additionally, dealing with car repairs can be a challenge, and your insurance company may only offer the depreciated value of your vehicle, which might not be enough to pay off the car and purchase a new one. Dealing with these issues can be life-changing, which is just one reason why police pursuit accident victims seek compensation.
Long-Term Effects of High-Speed Chase Accidents
Car accidents caused by police chases can have serious and long-lasting effects. From financial debt to physical pain and emotional trauma, the impacts can be devastating. Severe injuries can also result in extended time away from work, causing further financial strain. In some cases, injuries can even lead to permanent disability, making it difficult to return to work at all. However, seeking compensation through a lawsuit can help alleviate the financial burden and provide a sense of closure. That's why having a trustworthy high-speed chase attorney in Lexington, SC, to oversee your case is so important.
Who is Liable in South Carolina Police Chases?
The answer to this question is not always black and white and often involves a great deal of investigation and research. Generally speaking, law enforcement agencies, such as police departments, sheriff's offices, and highway patrols, have specific policies and procedures in place to govern the initiation and termination of vehicle pursuits.
- Pursuits may only be undertaken if the need to apprehend a suspect is immediate and outweighs the potential danger posed to the public by the pursuit. Notably, many agencies limit police chases to instances where the fleeing driver has been involved in a violent felony. Furthermore, all pursuits must be monitored by a supervisor who is responsible for terminating the pursuit if it becomes unsafe.
- Unfortunately, inadequate police pursuit training can result in injuries or fatalities of uninvolved motorists. If you or someone you know has been injured during a police chase, it's time to hire a trusted police pursuit attorney in Lexington, SC. A seasoned high-speed chase accident attorney can review your case and, if appropriate, file a wrongful death claim on your behalf.
Differences Between First and Third-Party Police Pursuits
When seeking a high-speed chase lawsuit, it's important to determine whether the injured party was a "First Party" participant actively fleeing the police or a completely innocent "Third Party" bystander or motorist. While some lawyers may not take on first-party cases, there may be rare exceptions when the conduct of law enforcement is shockingly egregious.
Typically, third-party cases have strong grounds for lawsuits, but general negligence principles will still play a role in South Carolina police pursuit cases. Furthermore, third-party cases may include passengers in the suspect's vehicle, especially if they are minors and were not involved in any illegal activity that prompted the police pursuit.
Understanding South Carolina's Tort Claims Act
When pursuing a police pursuit lawsuit in South Carolina, it is crucial to understand the state's Tort Claims Act. This law enables the government and its subdivisions to be held accountable for their actions, just like any other private person, but with certain exceptions. To navigate this complex legal terrain, it is advisable to seek the assistance of an experienced attorney.
The Tort Claims Act governs the circumstances under which the police agency may be held liable and sets limits on potential recovery, with a cap of $300,000 per claim against a governmental entity. It is important to note that additional claims under federal law and constitutional rights violations may also be pursued.
Answer These Questions if You're Thinking About a Police Chase Lawsuit
While determining liability in a high-speed chase case is a nuanced task, you shouldn't be burdened with such tasks, especially if you're an innocent victim. At Lauren Taylor Law, we believe it's our job to analyze the situation and understand the law, not yours. However, when you reach out to our office for representation, it's imperative we find out what happened and gather details to see if your case is valid.
To do so, we'll ask some common questions, which may include one or more of the following
What Level of Involvement Did You Have?
One of the key pieces of information our police pursuit attorneys require is whether you were directly involved in the chase as the first party or if you were an innocent bystander or passenger as a third party. If you were the person fleeing from the police and sustained injuries in a crash, it's unlikely that you would have a valid claim against the officer. However, if you were an innocent bystander or motorist who was hit during the chase, you may have grounds for a viable case. This is especially true for innocent passengers, particularly children, who were in the vehicle being pursued and may have a claim against the officer involved.
Do Any Police Officers Involved Have Immunity?
When it comes to lawsuits involving gross negligence and recklessness, governmental entities in South Carolina do not have absolute immunity under the Tort Claims Act. While this means an officer can be sued for damages in certain situations, there are exceptions to the waiver of immunity, and lawsuits against government entities can be subjected to a monetary cap. To ensure the best possible outcome in your case, it's crucial to work with a knowledgeable high-speed chase attorney in Lexington, SC, who knows how to navigate relevant laws.
Did You Break Any Local Traffic Laws?
When a police car is in pursuit with its lights and sirens on, it's crucial to pull over to the side of the road or stop at the intersection. Failure to do so could result in a crash, and in such a case, you may be held responsible for the accident and wouldn't have a case against the officer driving.
Who Started the High-Speed Chase?
Determining whether the officer violated their department's policies during a high-speed pursuit is a crucial factor in these cases. Pursuits following routine traffic stops, non-violent property offenses, and unconfirmed suspicions are often prohibited in many municipalities. However, if the officer who hit you was pursuing a violent criminal and adhering to departmental policies, it may be challenging to build a case against them.
In What Part of Town Did the Police Pursuit Happen?
Many law enforcement agencies in South Carolina have strict regulations in place when it comes to the location and speed of police chases. Typically, speeding through busy urban areas is prohibited, but pursuing a suspect at high speeds on a highway or in a remote region may be deemed appropriate.
The Compensation Your Police Pursuit Attorney in Lexington, SC, May Recover
Are you curious about what type of compensation you may qualify for if you're the victim of a high-speed chase in South Carolina?? As you probably guessed, financial compensation varies from case to case, as each injury victim and the circumstances of their situation are unique.
Depending on the details of your police pursuit case, you may qualify for one or more of the following types of compensation
- Current Wages Lost
- Diminished Earning Capacity in the Future
- Pain and Suffering
- Current and Future Medical Expenses and Bills
- Cost of Living with Disfigurement or Disability
- Cost of Therapy or Rehab Relating to Your Injuries
- Cost of Prescription Medications
- Out-of-Pocket Purchases Like Medical Devices
- Short and Long-Term Disability
- Permanent or Temporary Disability
Remember - to determine the full extent of the compensation you deserve, it's crucial that you reach out to a trusted police chase attorney, like those you'll find at Lauren Taylor Law. Working with a pro is the best route to take if you're looking to receive the maximum amount of money you deserve.
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Fighting for Your Right to High-Speed Chase Compensation in South Carolina
In the end, a police pursuit case will ultimately be decided by a Jury unless a settlement is reached. Jurors will be expected to apply negligence principles and carefully review the policies and procedures of any police force accused of wrongdoing. Additionally, jurors may scrutinize the training and resources provided to on-duty officers, as a lack of proper training can contribute to officers wrongly initiating high-speed chases.
Thankfully, if you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a police chase in South Carolina, a high-speed chase attorney in Lexington, SC, can help. Our team of police pursuit lawyers at Lauren Taylor Law has the expertise and resources necessary to investigate your case, no matter how complex. Don't hesitate to contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step towards justice.
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Did early morning rumbling wake you up? It was an earthquake near Lake Murray
Noah Feit March 19https://www.thestate.com/news/local/environment/article315110822.html
While most of South Carolina was sleeping early Thursday morning the latest earthquake to hit the Columbia area was recorded.A 2.1 magnitude earthquake was confirmed near Lake Murray, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The seismic activity hit at 2:32 a.m. in a part of Lake Murray that’s near the line separating Richland and Lexington counties, the South Carolina Emergency Management Division said.The tremors were recorded about 5.5 miles beneath the surface of the ground, USGS data shows.Recent earthquakes...
While most of South Carolina was sleeping early Thursday morning the latest earthquake to hit the Columbia area was recorded.
A 2.1 magnitude earthquake was confirmed near Lake Murray, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The seismic activity hit at 2:32 a.m. in a part of Lake Murray that’s near the line separating Richland and Lexington counties, the South Carolina Emergency Management Division said.
The tremors were recorded about 5.5 miles beneath the surface of the ground, USGS data shows.
Recent earthquakes
The recent seismic activity means that 14 earthquakes have been confirmed in South Carolina this year, according to the state’s Department of Natural Resources Geological Survey. The past six have all been in the Columbia area, near Lake Murray.
On March 13, a 2.0 magnitude earthquake hit off the South Carolina coast, but that was in the Atlantic Ocean, not the Palmetto State.
Prior to Thursday’s earthquake, the last one recorded in South Carolina was a 2.2 magnitude quake on March 1, according to the USGS.
Prior to this series of tremors in the Columbia area, there were six consecutive earthquakes recorded in the Lowcountry between Feb. 3 and 12, South Carolina DNR data shows.
There were 35 confirmed earthquakes in South Carolina in 2025.
In 2024, there were 30 earthquakes in the Palmetto State, after 28 quakes were recorded in 2023, South Carolina DNR records show.
History of earthquakes in SC
It had been uncommon for earthquakes to hit outside the Midlands area of the Palmetto State, specifically beyond Kershaw County, where 74 earthquakes have been confirmed since the end of June 2022, according to the South Carolina DNR.
That’s also where South Carolina’s most powerful recent earthquakes were recorded on June 29, 2022.
On that day, two earthquakes — one a 3.5 magnitude and the other 3.6 — were included in a flurry of tremors and aftershocks. Those were the two largest quakes to hit South Carolina in nearly a decade. A 4.1-magnitude quake struck McCormick County in 2014.
Anyone who felt tremors and shaking or heard rumbling from Thursday’s earthquake can report it to the USGS. Although the earthquake occurred when much of the population was sleeping, as of 7 a.m., at least 58 people reported experiencing the early-morning seismic activity.
The most recent earthquake means at least 181 have been detected in the Palmetto State since the start of 2022, according to South Carolina DNR. All but 59 of the quakes have been in the Midlands.
In all, 127 earthquakes have hit the Columbia area since a 3.3-magnitude quake was recorded Dec. 27, 2021, according to the DNR.
The S.C. Emergency Management Division said the majority of the recent earthquakes were classified as a micro quakes, according to the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale.
No major damage or injuries have been reported from the recent seismic activity or any of the other recent quakes.
Earthquakes that register 2.5 magnitude or less often go unnoticed and are usually recorded only by a seismograph, according to Michigan Technological University. Any quake less than 5.5 magnitude is not likely to cause significant damage, the school said.
It had been typical for South Carolina to have between six and 10 earthquakes a year, the S.C. Geological Survey previously reported. There have been 195 earthquakes in South Carolina since Jan. 18, 2021, according to DNR. During a 2022 town hall to address the earthquakes, state geologist Scott Howard said as many as 200 smaller tremors might have gone unnoticed and unrecorded.
Reported earthquakes in SC 2025-26
| Jan. 8/Jenkinsville | 1.9 | 3.0 |
| Aug. 23/Coronaca | 2.9 | 6.8 |
| Aug. 23/Coronaca | 3.0 | 2.1 |
| Aug. 23/Coronaca | 2.5 | 1.3 |
| Aug. 23/Coronaca | 1.9 | 0.1 |
| Aug. 23/Coronaca | 2.0 | 0.3 |
| Aug. 25/Coronaca | 2.0 | 0.4 |
| Aug. 26/Coronaca | 2.4 | 0.3 |
| Aug. 27/Coronaca | 2.0 | 0.4 |
| Sept. 26/Coronaca | 2.2 | 5.6 |
| Sept. 29/Kershaw | 1.8 | 12.8 |
| Nov. 9/Centerville | 1.8 | 7.9 |
| Feb. 3/Centerville | 2.3 | 7.7 |
| Feb. 7/Centerville | 2.9 | 5.2 |
| Feb. 11/Centerville | 2.5 | 0.7 |
| Feb. 12/Centerville | 1.8 | 5.0 |
| Feb. 26/Lexington | 3.0 | 0.2 |
School closures/eLearning announced for Monday due to potential severe weather
Lee Williamshttps://www.abccolumbia.com/2026/03/15/schools-closures-elearning-announced-for-monday-due-to-potential-severe-weather/
COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Midlands schools are announcing classes will be cancelled or online on Monday due to potential severe weather across communities.CALHOUN COUNTY:Today, March 16, 2026, all schools in the district will operate on an e-Learning Day.CLARENDON COUNTY:All classes will shift to e-Learning for Monday, March 16.FAIRFIELD COUNTY:Due to forecasts indicating a potentially significant severe weather threat for our area on Monday, March...
COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Midlands schools are announcing classes will be cancelled or online on Monday due to potential severe weather across communities.
CALHOUN COUNTY:
Today, March 16, 2026, all schools in the district will operate on an e-Learning Day.
CLARENDON COUNTY:
All classes will shift to e-Learning for Monday, March 16.
FAIRFIELD COUNTY:
Due to forecasts indicating a potentially significant severe weather threat for our area on Monday, March 16, 2026, FCSD will be closed.
This will be a traditional school closure, and there will be no e-learning on Monday. The instructional day will be made up on Monday, May 25, 2026.
KERSHAW COUNTY:
Kershaw County School District is shifting to an e-Learning Day for Monday, March 16, as severe weather is forecasted for our area. All school buildings and offices will be closed. All Monday after school activities and sporting events are also cancelled.
LEXINGTON ONE:
Lexington One will switch to eLearning on Monday, March 16 due to the forecast for severe weather. All after-school events and activities are canceled and campuses are closed for the day.
The big picture: The National Weather Service is predicting widespread, significant severe weather on Monday. Damaging (60 mph) to destructive (75+ mph) wind gusts are expected, with tornadoes possible as well. Some strong tornadoes (EF2+) are possible. Current forecasts indicate that the main window for severe hazards is expected to be between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
What to know: To help your student with eLearning, click here to review the district’s eLearning guidelines and directions. Students will have five days to complete all eLearning assignments. Additional information will also be shared later today.
Note for employees: Employees should work from home, unless notified otherwise by your supervisor.
LEXINGTON TWO:
With weather forecasts calling for severe weather and high winds in the Midlands, and in an abundance of caution, Lexington Two will close all schools and offices on Monday, March 16.
All afternoon and evening activities are also canceled on Monday, including athletic events, extracurricular activities, after-school programs, and adult education classes.
The National Weather Service is predicting damaging to destructive winds, possibly as high as 60-75 mph, with the current timing anywhere between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. At this time, our area is at an enhanced risk for severe weather, with some parts of our forecast area expanded to a moderate risk. An enhanced risk is a 3/5 confidence level, and a moderate risk is a 4/5 confidence level.
We will communicate updates by Monday afternoon on the status of the school day for Tuesday, March 17.
We appreciate your understanding and support, as we prioritize the safety of our students, employees, and families.
LEXINGTON THREE:
Due to the latest forecasted severe weather expected to impact the Midlands of South Carolina on Monday, March 16th, Lexington County School District Three will shift to an eLearning Day. The primary threat on Monday is damaging winds, with gusts up to 75 miles per hour possible. The National Weather Service is predicting “high-risk” weather, with dangerous tornadoes possible between 11 AM and 3 PM, directly affecting Lexington Three’s regular school day. Therefore we will shift to an eLearning Day on Monday, March 16th.
There will be no work for students to do on Monday, March 16th. Instead, students will receive their make-up eLearning assignments on Tuesday, March 17th. Students will have the option to complete their eLearning assignments on their own time. All assignments will be due by no later than Thursday, April 2nd.
All after-school events including sports practices, sports games, meetings, adult education classes, etc. scheduled for Monday, March 16th are cancelled.
LEXINGTON-RICHLAND 5:
No school for teachers + students Monday, March 16.
NEWBERRY COUNTY:
Due to the predictions by the Weather Service for high winds and possible tornado activity during the morning commute and into the morning, the School District of Newberry County will be closed Monday. Concerns are for buses in the predicted winds.
ORANGEBURG COUNTY:
Orangeburg County School District (OCSD) officials are closely monitoring weather conditions expected to impact Orangeburg County. Due to forecasted severe wind conditions expected across Orangeburg County (March 16, 2026), Orangeburg County School District will observe an eLearning Day.
RICHLAND ONE:
According to Ilyssa Weiner with Richland One:
Due to the evolving forecast for severe weather and out of an abundance of caution, all Richland One schools and administrative offices will be closed Monday, March 16, 2026. Monday will not be an e-learning day.
All afterschool programs, activities and events that were scheduled for Monday, including athletics games and practices, are canceled. The Richland One Rising Stars Awards Ceremony that was scheduled for Monday evening at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center is canceled.
The safety of our students and staff is always the primary consideration in deciding whether to change normal operations and schedules due to weather-related factors. The latest weather forecast calls for conditions during the day Monday that could produce tornadoes and high wind gusts of 40 miles per hour or more that would pose hazardous travel conditions for school buses and other vehicles on the roads.
RICHLAND TWO:
Due to forecasted severe storms and high winds, there will be no school tomorrow, Monday, March 16, 2026. All district buildings and offices will be closed.
SUMTER COUNTY:
Due to severe weather and hazardous winds, Monday, March 16, 2026, will be an eLearning day for all students and staff.
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This list will be updated as more schools’ information becomes available.
SCHOOL CLOSURES: Midlands school changes for potential severe weather on Monday
WIS News 10 Staffhttps://www.wistv.com/2026/03/15/first-alert-midlands-school-changes-potential-severe-weather-monday/
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Several Midlands school districts have announced school closures and eLearning days for Monday due to potential severe weather across the region.CALHOUN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLSCalhoun County Public Schools will have an e-learning day on Monday.CLARENDON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTMonday, March 16, 2026, will be an eLearning day for all students and staff. All schools and district offices will be closed.All activities, including athletic events and field trips, are canceled....
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Several Midlands school districts have announced school closures and eLearning days for Monday due to potential severe weather across the region.
CALHOUN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Calhoun County Public Schools will have an e-learning day on Monday.
CLARENDON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Monday, March 16, 2026, will be an eLearning day for all students and staff. All schools and district offices will be closed.
All activities, including athletic events and field trips, are canceled.
FAIRFIELD COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Fairfield County School District (FCSD) will be closed on Monday.
This will be a traditional school closure, and there will be no e-learning on Monday. The instructional day will be made up on Monday, May 25, 2026.
LEXINGTON 3
Lexington County School District Three announced it will shift to an eLearning Day due to potential severe weather on Monday.
The district says there will be no work for students to do on Monday. Instead, students will receive their make-up eLearning assignments on Tuesday, March 17th. Students will have the option to complete their eLearning assignments on their own time. All assignments will be due by no later than Thursday, April 2nd.
All after-school events, including sports practices, sports games, meetings, adult education classes, etc., scheduled for Monday, March 16th, are cancelled.
LEXINGTON ONE
Lexington One is switching to eLearning on Monday, March 16, 2026
All after-school events and activities are canceled, and campuses are also closed for the day.
You can click here to review the district’s eLearning guidelines and directions.
LEXINGTON TWO
Lexington Two is closing all offices and schools on Monday, March 16.
All afternoon and evening activities are also canceled on Monday, including athletic events, extracurricular activities, after-school programs, and adult education classes.
DISTRICT 5 OF LEXINGTON AND RICHLAND COUNTIES
LR5 will not have school due to previous scheduling.
ORANGEBURG COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Orangeburg County School District will observe an eLearning Day. All after-school programs, extracurricular activities, athletic practices, and games scheduled for tomorrow are canceled due to the expected weather conditions.
LEE COUNTY
Lee County School District has designated Monday, March 16, 2026, as an eLearning Day.
KERSHAW COUNTY
Kershaw County School District is shifting to an e-Learning Day for Monday. All Monday after-school activities and sporting events are also cancelled.
NEWBERRY COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Due to predicted severe weather for Monday, the School District of Newberry County will close all schools and offices on Monday, March 16.
RICHLAND ONE
All Richland One schools and administrative offices will be closed on Monday, March 16, 2026. Monday will not be an e-learning day.
RICHLAND TWO
School in Richland Two is canceled on Monday, March 16, due to severe weather.
All out-of-district field studies are canceled out of caution.
SUMTER SCHOOL DISTRICT
Due to severe weather and hazardous winds, Monday, March 16, 2026, will be an eLearning day for all students and staff.
VORHEES UNIVERSITY
Voorhees University will close its campus on Monday, March 16, 2026. Only essential personnel should report to campus.
WIS will update this article with more school changes once announced.
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Central South Carolina Hit with Multiple Tornado Warnings
FITSNewsMarch 12https://www.fitsnews.com/2026/03/12/central-south-carolina-hit-with-multiple-tornado-warnings/
Residents of central South Carolina were hit with multiple tornado warnings on Thursday morning (March 12, 2026) as a major storm front moved through the Midlands region of the state.Beginning at approximately 9:21 a.m. EDT, the Columbia, S.C. branch of the National Weather Service (NWS) began issuing tornado warnings for broad swaths of the region – including Lexington and Saluda counties south of Lake Murray and shortly thereafter for several heavily populated regions in Lexington and Richland counties north of the lake....
Residents of central South Carolina were hit with multiple tornado warnings on Thursday morning (March 12, 2026) as a major storm front moved through the Midlands region of the state.
Beginning at approximately 9:21 a.m. EDT, the Columbia, S.C. branch of the National Weather Service (NWS) began issuing tornado warnings for broad swaths of the region – including Lexington and Saluda counties south of Lake Murray and shortly thereafter for several heavily populated regions in Lexington and Richland counties north of the lake.
From 9:21 a.m. through 10:14 a.m., a total of six tornado warnings were issued for NWS Columbia’s coverage area – including warnings which encompassed Ballentine, Columbia, Gilbert and Irmo, S.C. At one point, nearly a quarter million Midlands residents were under a tornado warning.
While none of the dreaded funnel clouds appear to have touched down, the weather’s ominous turn was duly noted as cell phones across the region lit up with emergency warnings.
“(The) sky was green and got super dark really fast,” one Midlands resident wrote on X.
One weather watcher, Bethany Ouimette, was tracking traffic cameras operated by the S.C. Department of Transportation (SCDOT) when she observed an “intermittent funnel… coming and going.”
Multiple schools in the Midlands region instituted shelter in place protocols – while some schools actually evacuated students to more secure structures on campus. At the Target shopping center on Harbison Drive – a heavily trafficked retail area of northwest Columbia – shoppers were told to gather in the center of the store where they were asked to shelter in place for nearly an hour until the storm passed.
This is a developing story, please check back for updates…
is the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. Prior to founding FITSNews, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and eight children.
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South Carolina schools begin announcing plans ahead of Monday severe weather.
Christopher Buchananhttps://www.wltx.com/article/news/local/south-carolina-school-schedules-severe-weather-monday-march-16/101-c94ca89f-c3b9-4621-9bde-e6d53d32a77c
With severe weather on the way, some schools are making changes to their schedules. We'll keep track of those changes here.COLUMBIA, S.C. — A severe storm is expected to bring heavy wind, rain and possible tornadoes to the South Carolina Midlands on Monday morning.As a result, some school districts are shifting their class schedules or moving to eLearning due to the storm's potential impact on their communities.Here's what we're hearing from each county.Aiken CountyAiken County schools will observe ...
With severe weather on the way, some schools are making changes to their schedules. We'll keep track of those changes here.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A severe storm is expected to bring heavy wind, rain and possible tornadoes to the South Carolina Midlands on Monday morning.
As a result, some school districts are shifting their class schedules or moving to eLearning due to the storm's potential impact on their communities.
Here's what we're hearing from each county.
Aiken County
Aiken County schools will observe an eLearning Day on Monday due to forecasted severe weather, with employees working remotely and students having until March 27 to complete their assignments.
Calhoun County
Calhoun County Public Schools will have an eLearning Day on Monday due to forecast severe weather.
Clarendon County
Clarendon County Schools has announced that Monday will be an eLearning day due to expected severe weather. All schools and district offices will be closed. All activities are canceled. Assignments will be posted on Google Classroom. Students who face barriers to completing the assignments will be allowed additional time.
Fairfield County
Fairfield County School District will be closed on Monday due to forecast severe weather, with no eLearning. The missed instructional day will be made up on Monday, May 25.
Kershaw County
Kershaw County School District is shifting to an eLearning Day on Monday due to forecast severe weather, with all school buildings, offices, and afterschool activities closed or canceled. Middle and high school students will receive assignments in Canvas by 11 a.m., while elementary students will receive theirs on Tuesday. All students will have five school days to complete their work.
Lee County
Lee County School District has designated Monday as an eLearning Day due to forecast severe thunderstorms with high winds and heavy rainfall, and all staff members are expected to remain available during normal work hours.
Lexington One
Lexington County School District One is switching to eLearning on Monday, with campuses closed and all afterschool activities canceled due to a forecast of severe weather, including damaging winds and possible tornadoes. Employees are asked to work from home, and students will have five days to complete their eLearning assignments.
Lexington Two
Lexington Two will close all schools and offices on Monday due to forecast severe weather, with all afterschool and evening activities also canceled. The district will communicate updates by Monday afternoon regarding the status of school on Tuesday, March 17.
Lexington Three
Lexington County School District Three is switching to an eLearning Day on Monday due to forecasted severe weather. Students will have no work on Monday but will receive make-up eLearning assignments on Tuesday, with all work due by April 2. All afterschool events are canceled.
Lexington Four
Lexington Four schools are not scheduled to be in session on Monday.
Lexington-Richland Five
While schools and offices in School District Five of Lexington & Richland Counties are already closed on Monday for a previously scheduled holiday, employees who were scheduled to work will transition to remote work due to forecast severe weather.
Newberry County
The School District of Newberry County will close all schools and offices on Monday due to forecast severe weather.
Orangeburg County
Orangeburg County School District will observe an eLearning Day on Monday due to forecast severe wind conditions, with all afterschool programs, extracurricular activities, and athletic events canceled. Students should follow the eLearning procedures previously communicated by their schools.
Richland One
Richland One has announced that all schools and offices will be closed on Monday due to the severe weather forecast. School officials said this will not be an eLearning day. All afterschool activities on Monday have also been canceled. The Richland One Rising Stars Awards Ceremony is also canceled.
Richland Two
Richland Two will cancel classes on Monday due to forecasted severe weather and high winds. All district buildings and offices will be closed.
Saluda County
Saluda County schools are monitoring the weather forecast but have not made any changes to school schedules at this time.
Sumter County
Sumter School District has designated Monday as an eLearning Day due to forecast severe weather, with all schools, offices, and activities closed or canceled, and the day will not need to be made up. Lessons will be posted on Schoology, and students who are unable to participate due to power outages or limited internet access will be allowed to complete assignments at a later time.
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