News Summary
Clarendon County faced a dramatic evening of weather as an EF-1 tornado touched down following strong thunderstorms. Wind gusts reached 50 mph, causing damage and prompting emergency alerts. Residents reported downed trees and minor injuries, with the tornado confirmed by the National Weather Service. As the community comes together to address storm-related impacts, the focus remains on recovery and safety as they face ongoing challenges due to the severe weather.
EF-1 Tornado Touches Down in Clarendon County After a Wild Evening of Storms
This Friday evening, friends and neighbors in Clarendon County experienced quite a whirlwind of weather! The storm brought a combination of scary strong winds, heavy rain, and even a confirmed EF-1 tornado. The National Weather Service, always keeping a watchful eye on our skies, alerted the community about strong thunderstorms brewing as early as 4:41 p.m., warning that they were expected to hang around until 5:15 p.m.
Wind Gusts and Hail: What to Expect
If you were making evening plans, you might have wanted to pause for a quick moment as the weather took a turn. Wind gusts of up to 50 mph and pea-sized hail (that’s about 0.25 inches, folks!) were on the way. Just east of Manning, a strong thunderstorm was tracked by Doppler radar, moving at a steady pace of 15 mph. With gusty winds slapping around tree limbs and tossing unsecured items about, the message was clear: Stay indoors!
Why the Haste to Seek Shelter?
The storm didn’t hold back, especially for areas around the Santee Cooper Regional Airport and Foreston. Residents were quickly advised to find shelter if they were caught outside, and it looks like this advice was spot-on. Interestingly, while we’re all familiar with thunderstorms, did you know that lightning strikes the U.S. around 25 million times a year? That averages to about 20 fatalities annually. It’s important to take these weather warnings seriously!
Storm Damage Reports Flood In
The Aftermath and Community Response
Clarendon County’s Emergency Management Director painted a picture of substantial challenges from the storm, noting how heavy rains and fallen trees posed serious issues. The county is actively collecting reports of storm-related damage, and a meeting with the National Weather Service is in the works to confirm various tornado activities across the area. If you experienced damage, your voice matters! You can report it by emailing [email protected].
A Tornado Is Confirmed!
The big news of the night? The National Weather Service confirmed that an EF-1 tornado did indeed hit Clarendon County, boasting estimated wind speeds of up to 90 mph. This tornado likely formed over Lake Marion before making landfall near Hickory Top Road. Damage reports poured in, particularly along Old River and Clifton roads, with some tree and power line damage caused by the swirling winds.
Impact on Major Roads
Highway 15 and I-95 weren’t spared either, with reports of minor tree damage in those busy areas. The tornado was on the ground for about 13 minutes and reached up to 200 yards wide at its peak. It seems that heavy winds and a macroburst were not just a local problem, as neighboring regions reported similar damages with trees downed in various places.
A Community Comes Together
Despite the challenges posed by Mother Nature, the sense of community remains strong in Clarendon County. As the dust, or rather the debris, settles, residents are rallying together to support each other during this recovery phase. The storms might have shaken things up, but our spirit remains unbroken!
Here’s hoping for clearer skies and calm weather as we move towards the weekend. Stay safe out there, folks!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Severe Thunderstorm Warning in South Carolina
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Severe Thunderstorms Hit Central and Southeastern South Carolina
Severe Weather Alert Issued for Hilton Head
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Impact Central and Southeastern Orangeburg County
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Upstate South Carolina
Severe Thunderstorm Alert Issued for Newberry and Fairfield Counties, SC
Additional Resources
- Island Packet: EF-1 Tornado in Clarendon County
- Wikipedia: Tornado
- WLTX: Storms Batter Manning, SC
- Google Search: South Carolina storm news
- ABC 7 Chicago: Severe Thunderstorm Watch
- Google Scholar: tornado effects on communities
- Live 5 News: Severe Thunderstorm Warnings
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Thunderstorm
- WLTX: South Carolina Tornado Confirmed
- Google News: weather alerts South Carolina
Author: STAFF HERE HILTON HEAD
The HILTON HEAD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHiltonHead.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Hilton Head Island, Beaufort County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the RBC Heritage golf tournament, Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival, and the Gullah Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, plus leading businesses in tourism and hospitality that power the local economy such as Sea Pines Resort and Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
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