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Live blog: Latest updates on Tropical Storm Michael

The bulk of Tropical Storm Michael has moved out of South Carolina, leaving behind power outages, downed trees and power lines, many traffic accidents and blocked or flooded roadways

Columbia, SC (WLTX) — Download the WLTX App for Updates

The bulk of Tropical Storm Michael has moved out of South Carolina, after bringing with it heavy winds and rain and leaving behind some damage. The storm left the state by 11 a.m. Thursday, about 12 hours after the first effects of the storm were felt in the Palmetto State.

The storm's winds and rain began moving into the state just before midnight, with the center of circulation coming in around daybreak. The storm touched off several tornado warnings early Wednesday morning before leaving behind power outages, downed trees and power lines, many traffic accidents and blocked or flooded roadways throughout the area.

Send us your pictures at news19@wltx.com, on our Facebook page, or on our website here.

Here are the latest updates on the storm as it progresses through South Carolina.

Thursday, October 11

7:29 p.m. Power Outages Reduced From 70,000 to 10,000

5:32 p.m. Tropical Storm Warnings Canceled

All tropical storm warning have been canceled for the Midlands, as well as most of South Carolina.

3:04 p.m. State Update from SCEMD

2:54 p.m. The National Weather Service has canceled the Flash Flood Watch for the Midlands.

2:39 p.m. SCDOT Crews Clear Debris from Roads

SCDOT crews continue to assess damage and clear debris from roadways.

1:26 p.m. Tropical Storm Michael Moves Out of South Carolina

The bulk of Tropical Storm Michael has moved out of South Carolina, after bringing with it heavy winds and rain and leaving behind some damage. Related: Michael exits the South Carolina after bringing wind, rain, damage

12:32 p.m. Crawfish 'Storm" Lake Murray Neighborhood

A Midlands resident says crawfish are crawling all around her Lake Murray neighborhood following the storm. Take a look at some of the photos she sent us. >> Crawfish 'Storm' Lake Murray Neighborhood

Peggy Breeland says her family woke up to find crawfish walking around their neighborhood at Lake Murray.

11:39 a.m. Condition in Kershaw County

News 19's Michael Fuller is checking out conditions in Kershaw County. Here's what he saw.

10:56 a.m. Conditions in West Columbia

News 19's Nic Jones is checking out conditions in West Columbia. Here's what he found.

10:02 a.m. A Look at Michael's Impact on the Midlands

Many of you are sharing your pictures and videos of storm damage around the Midlands. Take a look >> PHOTOS: Michael leaves behind storm damage in South Carolina

Share your pictures with us by email at news19@wltx.com, on our Facebook page, or on our website here.

9:47 a.m. Flooded Roads in the Piney Grove Road Area

Lance Cpl. David Jones with S.C. Highway Patrol says many roads in the Piney Grove and Piney Woods Road area are experiencing flooding. Take a look at the video he shared.

9:15 a.m. Flash Flood Warning Extended

The National Weather Service in Columbia has extended the Flash Flood Warning for Richland & Lexington Counties until 10:15 a.m.

9:12 a.m. Sumter Police Rescue Baby Squirrel

Sumter police posted a video of Detective Rick Morse comforting a baby squirrel that fell from a tree Wednesday morning.

8:35 a.m. Tree on Home in North Columbia

The Columbia Fire Department is responding to a home in the 5100 block of Randall avenue in North Columbia, where they say a tree fell on a home, trapping one person inside.

8:27 a.m. Blocked and Flooded Roadways Reported

A number of roads are flooded or blocked by downed trees ot other debris. If you are able to stay off the roads, officials ask that you do so.

8:14 a.m. Officials Report Number of Accidents

Officials are reporting lots of accident on the roads this morning. If you are able to stay off the roads, please do so.

8:06 a.m. - Water flowing over Corley Mill Road

Water flowing over Corley Mill Road near the Saluda River club neighborhood, per Lexington police.

8:04 a.m. - Power outages statewide up to 96,673

That's the new number from the SCEMD for all utilities statewide.

7:45 a.m. - The COMET suspends service

As of 7:45 am, October 11, 2018 all routes are suspended until further notice. Please call their inclement weather hotline at 803-255-7118 for updates.

7:30 a.m. - Irmo police report water on the road.

Irmo police say they've had reports of standing water on St. Andrews Road near Thames Valley Road. That intersection's traffic light is 'on flash' as well. Please use caution on roadways.

6:40 a.m. SCDOT Call Center Open 24 hours

If you have questions about traveling specific routes today, SCDOT has staff on hand to help you.

6:35 a.m. Midlands Tornado Watches Canceled

All tornado warnings in the Midlands have expired.

6:33 a.m. Power Outage Update

SCEMD reports there are currently 66,171 power outages statewide.

>> Check SCE&G Outages

>> Check Outages with SC Electric Cooperatives

Related:

6:14 a.m. Downed Tree Blocking I-26 WEST Near Exit 91 (Chapin)

SCDOT reports all lanes of I-26 West are blocked near Exit 91 (Chapin) due to a downed tree. Andrew Tran shared this video with us.

6:14 a.m. Flash Flood Warning Issued for Richland, Lexington Counties

A flash flood watch has been issued for Richland & Lexington Counties until 9:15 a.m.

5:50 a.m. Power outages starting to pick up

The SC Electric Cooperatives said over 2,000 customers in Lexington County alone were without power. That's up a bit from earlier.

LINK: How to report a storm outage in South Carolina

5:30 a.m. Tree down in downtown Columbia

This tree went down on Main Street near Lady Street in downtown Columbia. Looks as if it might have hit a car.

A tree down on Main Street in Columbia on October 11, 2018.

5:19 a.m. Michael on Georgia/SC Border

The National Hurricane Center says Michael is near the Georgia/south Carolina border.

5:18 a.m. Flood Advisory Issued for Richland County

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Advisory for Richland County Until 7:15 AM EDT.

5:10 a.m. Tornado Watch Issued for 5 Counties, Canceled in All Others

A tornado watch is in effect for Fairfield, Kershaw, Lee, Sumter, and Clarendon Counties until 7 AM. The watch has been expired in all other counties.

5:05 a.m. Power Outages

Utilities are reporting 44,520 power outages statewide currently due to Tropical Storm Michael, according to SCEMD.

>> Check SCE&G Outages

>> Check Outages with SC Electric Cooperatives

Related:

4:52 a.m. DAMAGE REPORT: Downtown Columbia

The National Weather Service says a tree fell down about a block from the State House on Main Street in Columbia. No injuries reported, but it appears a vehicle was damaged.

4:38 a.m. UPDATE: Tornado Warning Expires

The tornado warning for Richland and Calhoun Counties has expired.

4:18 a.m. Tornado Warning Issued for Richland and Calhoun County

The warning is for lower Richland County and parts of Calhoun County. This was indicted on radar. There was potential rotation in a cell near the town of Eastover.

3:16 a.m. Tornado Watch Canceled for Some Counties

A tornado watch remains in effect for Calhoun, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lee, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland and Sumter. A warning means a tornado had been indicated on radar.

2:43 a.m. Tornado Warning Issued in Newberry County

1 a.m. Tropical Storm Michael Update

Michael weakened to a tropical storm as it moves through Georgia into South Carolina. Related: Midlands under a tornado watch as Tropical Storm Michael weakens over Georgia

12:01 a.m. Tornado Warning Issued in Richland, Lexington Calhoun Counties

A tornado warning has been issued in northwestern Calhoun County and south central Richland County, according to the National Weather Service.

Wednesday, October 10

11:57 p.m. Tornado Warning Issued in Lexington County

11:38 p.m. Tornado Watch Issued for Parts of South Carolina

11:32 p.m. Tornado Warning Issued in Orangeburg County

8:05 p.m. First Hurricane Michael Death

Authorities say a Florida Panhandle man was killed by a falling tree as Hurricane Michael tore through the state. Related: First death confirmed in Florida Panhandle during Hurricane Michael

7:07 p.m. Video Shows Damage in Florida

7:06 p.m. Harvest Hope Closure

Harvest Hope will close all locations Thursday due to the storm.

6:19 p.m. Riverbanks Zoo Closed Thursday

Riverbanks Zoo will be closed to the public Thursday due to the threat of inclement weather.

6:18 p.m. Offices Closed Thursday

Office for the City of Columbia and Richland County are closed Thursday.

6:16 p.m. Hurricane Michael Could Cause 300,000 to 500,000 Power Outages in the Carolinas

6:14 p.m. Columbia Metropolitan Airport Remains Open

6:10 p.m. SCDOT Call Center open 24 hours

6:07 p.m. Waste and Recycle Collection Delays

The County of Lexington and the City of Columbia will delay all solid waste and recycling collection by one day.

6:05 p.m. Wateree River's Patriots Landing Closed

Wateree River’s Patriots Landing, located under the US Highway One bridge in Lugoff, is closed until further notice.

6:04 p.m. State Museum Delays Opening

The SC State Museum will open at 12 p.m. Thursday.

6:04 p.m. Richland Library Closes

Richland Library announced all locations are closed Thursday.

6:00 p.m. SCE&G Ready to Help

The Columbia Speedway is now a parking lot for more than 60 line and bucket trucks waiting to help South Carolina turn the lights back on after the storm passes. Related: SCE&G: 2,700 waiting to help restore power after Michael

5:59 p.m. Shelters Open in South Carolina

At the request of local emergency management partners, the Palmetto SC Region of the American Red Cross has begun opening shelters as Hurricane Michael nears. LIST: Shelters open in South Carolina due to Hurricane Michael

5:58 p.m. State Fair Closed Thursday

The South Carolina State Fair will be closed Thursday due to the impacts of Michael throughout the region. The fair says it will reopen Friday. Related: South Carolina State Fair to close Thursday due to Michael

5:55 p.m. Last-minute Preps Underway

As Hurricane Michael approaches South Carolina, residents in the Midlands are getting their last-minute preparations ready. Related: It's time for last-minute preps as Hurricane Michael approaches the Midlands

2:55 p.m. How to Help Those Impacted by Hurricane Michael

With one of the worst storms in history to hit the Florida Panhandle, many people are ready to jump in and help those affected. >> Here's how to help those impacted by Hurricane Michael

1:47 p.m. Hurricane Michael Makes Landfall

Hurricane Michael is making landfall along the Florida panhandle coast as one of the strongest hurricanes in U.S. history, with winds just under Category 5 strength. The National Hurricane Center says the center of the storm made landfall around 1:30 p.m. near Mexico Beach, FL with winds of 155 MPH. Related: Hurricane Michael makes landfall in Florida, storm to affect SC tomorrow

1:43 p.m. Georgia Governor Declares State of Emergency

Based on the latest forecast for Hurricane Michael and acting on a recommendation from Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency officials, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal issued an emergency declaration for 108 counties in Georgia. Related: UPDATE: Georgia governor declares state of emergency for 16 more counties ahead of Hurricane Michael

12:19 p.m. Shaw AFB Evacuates Aircraft

Officials with Shaw AFB say the base evacuated its F-16 CM Fighting Falcon aircraft today in

preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Michael. Shaw AFB will operate under mission-essential

reporting duty status beginning Thursday. Related: Shaw Air Force Base evacuates F-16s ahead of Hurricane Michael

12:07 p.m. Hurricane Update

12:05 p.m. School Closings

News 19 continues to receive closing notices from Midlands school districts for Thursday. You can find the most current list of school closings on our website. LIST: School closings and delays in South Carolina caused by Hurricane Michael

11:58 p.m. South Carolina Remains in State of Emergency

Governor Henry McMaster says the state of South Carolina remains in a state of emergency due to continued flooding from Hurricane Florence and potential impact from Hurricane Michael. Related: South Carolina staying in 'state of emergency' to deal with Michael

11:53 a.m. SCE&G Prepares for Michael

News 19's Jacob Reynolds is checking in with SCE&G as they prepare for power outages as Michael makes its way to South Carolina.

Related: Prepare now for power outages in South Carolina due to Hurricane Michael

LIST: How to Report Power Outages Throughout South Carolina

11:50 a.m. Kershaw County Prepares

Kershaw County officials say the county has moved to OPCON 4, meaning there is a possibility of an emergency or disaster situation that may require state coordination during emergency management operations.

11:37 a.m. Orangeburg Prepares for Michael

News 19's Michael Fuller is in Orangeburg County to see how folks are preparing for the storm. Here's what he found. Related: Orangeburg County makes preps before Hurricane Michael

11:30 a.m. Hurricane Update

As of the 11:30 AM update from the National Hurricane Center, Michael had sustained winds of 150 MPH with stronger gusts. The storm is now a Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale which measures hurricane intensity, with 1 being the weakest and 5 the strongest. Related: Hurricane Michael has 150 MPH winds, storm to impact SC tomorrow

11:21 a.m. Cruise ships Alter Course

At least eight cruise ships carrying more than 20,000 vacationers have been forced to alter course this week to avoid Hurricane Michael. Related: Hurricane Michael: Eight cruise ships sailing altered itineraries to avoid storm

10:55 a.m. "This is devastating," says Florida Gov. Rick Scott

Gov. Rick Scott called Michael "the worst storm that the Florida Panhandle has seen in a century." Related: At a Category 4, Hurricane Michael could be strongest storm to hit Panhandle ever

10:38 a.m. This is What Hurricane Michael Looks Like From Space

NASA released stunning views of Hurricane Michael from space, as the storm continues its trek toward the Florida panhandle. Related: This is what Hurricane Michael looks like from space

6:02 a.m. Panama City Beach Waffle House Closes

It’s official, Hurricane Michael is expected to be so dangerous even a Panama City Beach Waffle House has pulled out the storm shutters and locked its doors. Related: Hurricane Michael is so bad Waffle House closed in Panama City Beach

2:22 a.m. Hurricane Michael Approaches Florida Panhandle

Gaining frightening fury overnight, Hurricane Michael closed in Wednesday on the Florida Panhandle with potentially catastrophic winds of 150 mph, the most powerful storm on record ever to menace the stretch of fishing towns, military bases and spring-break beaches. Related: Category 4 Hurricane Michael being felt on Florida coast

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What is a Category 4 hurricane?

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