A sudden hailstorm raced through Columbia County on Tuesday afternoon, pelting homes and motorists and knocking out electrical power in Harlem.

"This is a huge hail event for the county," Columbia County Emergency Services Director Pam Tucker said in a news release.

Less than two hours later, another storm entered the area, bringing more reports of hail in the Harlem area. There was a tornado warning issued for Burke County after radar indicated a funnel cloud, but National Weather Service officials said there was no damage associated with the disturbance. At about 9:30 p.m., yet another line of storms moved through the area, downing some trees and power lines in McDuffie County.

As of 10 p.m., more than 3,000 power outages caused by high winds had been reported in Jefferson, Emanuel, Glascock and McDuffie counties, said Jefferson Energy Cooperative spokesman Steve Chalker. He wasn't sure when the power would be restored.

In the first storm of the day, which entered the area about 4 p.m., a tree was uprooted at Rockdale Road off Oakley Pirkle Road in Martinez, officials said. Quarter-size hail was reported on White Road in Harlem, nickel-size hail on Clary Cut Road in Appling and golf ball-size hail on Swint Road in Harlem and at Grovetown's Senior Center on Euchee Creek Road.

Power outages were reported in Harlem, and hail was reported from Harlem, Grovetown, Evans and Martinez. In Richmond County, batting practice was delayed at Lake Olmstead Stadium for the GreenJackets game.

Staff Writers Billy Byler, Adam Folk and Timothy Cox contributed to this article.