Date Published: June 14, 2006   

Alberto knocks down trees, damages cars in SC

By JEFFREY COLLINS
Associated Press Writer

Alberto weakened to a tropical depression Wednesday as it moved through South Carolina, dumping heavy rain and spawning a few tornadoes.

A flood watch remained in effect through the afternoon for the Pee Dee in the northeastern corner of the state where the National Weather Service reported hail and damaging lightning overnight. A tornado watch also was issued.

Tropical storm warnings for the coast were dropped early Wednesday.

The center of Alberto passed through the state and by late morning, was in North Carolina about 70 miles southwest of Raleigh, pushing northeast at 23 mph.

By midmorning, the sun was shining brightly in Charleston after a blustery morning rush hour where high wind advisories were posted on the Arthur Ravenel Bridge, the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America.

Gale warnings were still in effect along South Carolina's north coast.

Most of the Lowcountry reported 2 to 3 inches of rain Tuesday.

More than 4 inches of rain fell at Bluffton while Hilton Head reported almost 3 inches and Charleston 2.5 inches, according to the National Weather Service.

Wind gusts exceeding 40 mph knocked down trees and power lines in Beaufort, Colleton and Jasper counties late Tuesday.

A sustained wind gust of 51 mph was reported at Edisto Beach while a gust of 50 mph was reported at Folly Beach just up the coast. Downtown Charleston reported a gust of 41 mph.

At least six small tornadoes were reported in the Lowcountry. A possible twister damaged several roofs and sheds in Cross near Berkeley County around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday.

At least three tornadoes were reported in Charleston County, including one in downtown Charleston around 6 p.m. Tuesday.

That storm crossed from the Ashley River to the rear parking lot of the Charleston Police Station. The storm knocked the windows out of three police cruisers and mangled a roll-up garage door.

"It appeared that there was a dramatic decrease in ambient pressure and the window exploded out of the rear of the car," said Scott Newsome, the Charleston police fleet commander.

A twister was also reported Tuesday afternoon in Beaufort County, according to the National Weather Service.

Officials said Alberto's passing was a reminder that hurricane season is again here.

"This adds a little seasoning to the soup, so to speak," said Thomas Watson, the deputy administrator who oversees emergency management in Jasper County. "Hopefully, this wakes people up ... that this is for real."

Alberto, with maximum sustained winds of about 50 mph, made landfall early Tuesday afternoon near Adams Beach, Fla., about 50 miles southeast of Tallahassee.