A meteor-like fireball streaked across the sky over the U.S. Southeast on Thursday, June 26, 2025, prompting dozens of reports and investigations from emergency services. Reports of ‘fireball’ seen falling from sky over Southeast describe a vivid daylight flash, a loud boom and a faint rumble that alarmed residents in Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee. Here’s the latest update on this developing story.
Massive Sky Flash and Shaking
Eyewitnesses saw a blazing ball of fire between 12:15 and 12:30 p.m. ET—prompting more than 100 eyewitness reports to the American Meteor Society. Many described seeing a bright streak followed by a low rumble or shake that alerted them to something unusual in the sky. The National Weather Service confirmed they received shaking reports, though no earthquake activity was detected.
Officials Confirm Possible Meteor
Authorities in Rockdale County, Georgia told FOX 5 Atlanta they reviewed a video showing a streak of fire moving quickly across the sky. Investigators believe this was likely a meteor entering the atmosphere or possibly a piece of space debris burning up on re-entry. State officials are actively trying to locate any potential crash site in South Carolina’s Anderson, Greenville and Spartanburg counties.
Satellite Imagery Shows Smoke Trail
FOX Weather captured satellite imagery revealing a faint smoke trail stretching from Tennessee into northern Georgia. The National Weather Service’s lightning‑detection system in Charleston picked up a visible streak over the North Carolina–Virginia border near Gasburg—though no lightning bolts were involved. This plume points to a high‑altitude object fragmenting as it descended.
What We Know So Far
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Time of event | 12:15–12:30 p.m. ET, Thursday, June 26, 2025 |
| Area affected | Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, northern Georgia, NC–VA border |
| Observations | Bright midday fireball, loud boom, ground shaking |
| Official action | NWS investigating; video reviewed; satellite imagery analyzed |
| Next steps | Ground search underway in Upstate SC; AMS pending verification |
Why This Was Unusual
Spotted in broad daylight, this fireball event stands out. Most meteors burn up harmlessly at night when they’re easily visible. But daytime fireballs are rare—usually involving larger objects entering the atmosphere at high speed, creating a dramatic flash and sometimes an audible shockwave.
Public Reaction and Videos
On social media, viral clips and dashboards captured the moment. One viewer from Perry, Georgia said it “came out of nowhere.” Another in metro Atlanta described a sharp boom that rattled windows. Several local news outlets have received submitted videos and photos of the fireball slicing across the sky.
Ongoing Investigations
- American Meteor Society (AMS): compiling eyewitness logs for analysis of trajectory.
- National Weather Service: reviewing satellite and seismic data.
- South Carolina authorities: searching for debris in Anderson, Greenville and Spartanburg counties.
- Georgia and Tennessee officials: coordinating regional impact follow-up.
No official confirmations yet that fragments have been recovered. Authorities urge caution for any unusual glowing or smoking debris—they may be hazardous or subject to environmental laws.
Meteor in Context
Fireballs like this aren’t unprecedented in the Southeast. Routine meteor showers and sporadic daylight fireballs occur every few months. In fact, the Southeast sees about one bright event monthly, as tracked by scientific networks. However, the daytime timing, audible boom and cross-state trail make this sighting especially striking.
Quick Summary of Key Points
- When: Midday, June 26, 2025
- Where: GA, SC, TN, NC–VA region
- What happened: Bright fireball, loud boom, minor tremors
- Official status: Investigation underway; no confirmed debris yet
- Public alerted: Residents shared videos, photos; asked to report findings
- Why it matters: Rare daytime fireball, unusual visibility, potential recovered fragments
What Should You Do If You Saw It?
- Submit your sighting, time and location to the American Meteor Society.
- Check for any debris on your property—snap a photo, note GPS.
- Stay alert—law enforcement may need access to suspected pieces.
- Avoid handling unknown objects: they could be sharp, radioactive or toxic.
Why This Matters
These events offer valuable scientific insight. Finding fragments allows research into meteoroid composition and behavior upon entering the atmosphere. Public cooperation could help locate pieces that otherwise might be lost.
Keep Watching the Skies
This is a developing story. Expect updates as ground searches progress and AMS data is processed. Whether you’re a budding astronomer or just sky-curious, now’s a good time to step outside after dark—meteor showers and occasional fireballs could continue lighting up the skies.
Send your videos and info to local news and AMS. Every observation helps scientists and officials piece together exactly what flew overhead.
Curious where it landed? Want more updates as they emerge? Make sure you’re following local weather, science and news outlets—this fireball story is far from over.