The Bluffton Township Fire District (BTFD) was kept busy on Thursday due to a surge in emergency calls following severe thunderstorms in Beaufort County, which brought lightning and heavy rainfall.

Numerous incidents involved homes and outdoor areas being hit by lightning, leading to structure fires, power disruptions, smoke inside residences, and minor fires outdoors. Notably, a lightning strike ignited a fire in the basement of a home on Greenleaf Road in the Palmetto Bluff area. Fortunately, firefighters were able to control the fire and save the house from significant damage.

While most incidents did not result in fire, residents experienced smoke conditions, electrical surges and visible damage to homes and nearby trees.

Deputy Chief of Operations Adam Corn expressed relief that no one was injured during these incidents. He noted that it was unusual to experience so many lightning-related occurrences in such a short time frame. He praised the fire crews for their professionalism and extended gratitude to the mutual aid partners for their support. Special thanks were given to Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue and the City of Beaufort/Town of Port Royal Fire Department for providing additional engines to help manage the surge in calls.

The Fire District encourages all residents to stay weather-aware, especially during the summer storm season. Key safety tips include:

• Have multiple ways to receive emergency alerts, including NOAA Weather Radios, mobile apps, and text/email alerts.
• Pay close attention to forecasts and warnings from the National Weather Service in Charleston.
• If you hear thunder, go indoors immediately—lightning can strike miles ahead of a storm.
• Avoid using electronic devices and stay away from water during lightning storms.