Tornadoes and Damaging Winds in South Carolina, April 13, 2020

A National Weather Service Storm Survey Team confirmed an EF-0 tornado with an estimated maximum wind speed of 76 mph in eastern Allendale County. The weak tornado initially touched down near the intersection of Route 321 and Mt. Pleasant Church Road, continuing east-northeast and crossing Bethel Church Road, before dissipating just northeast of the intersection of Route 641 and Rebel Drive. Damage from the tornado primarily consisted of sporadic and discontinuous tree damage along its path.

A National Weather Service Storm Survey Team confirmed the continuing path of a tornado, which initially developed in eastern Screven County, Georgia with an EF-1 tornado rating, tracking east across the Savannah River about 10 miles northeast of Newington, Georgia and entering Hampton County. The tornado continued an east path in Hampton County, crossing over marsh and a wooded area before quickly coming to an end before reaching Crab Orchard Road. Snapped and uprooted trees along the path remained consistent with an EF-1 tornado rating.

A National Weather Service Storm Survey Team confirmed an EF-4 tornado with an estimated maximum wind speed of 175 mph in central Hampton County.

The tornado began just north of Collie Road, approximately 3 miles west-northwest of Scotia, South Carolina, snapping and uprooting trees and causing damage to the Federal Correctional Institution of Estill along its northeast track. The tornado then continued northeast, crossing over Highway 321 near the intersection with County Road S-25-35 before gaining strength and causing substantial damage. Beyond this point, the unusually long track and wide tornado damaged and destroyed many residences, including mobile and single family homes along its entire path. A few automobiles were also tossed/rolled 50 to 75 yards from their original locations. In addition, the tornado reached a maximum width of about 0.75 mile, causing extensive damage to thousands of trees and numerous power lines. At times, the damage pattern suggested that the tornado may have consisted of multiple vortices, which can occur in stronger tornadoes.

The most significant structural damage occurred just south of Estill, South Carolina and across Nixville, South Carolina, where at least six residences were destroyed. After crossing Highway 321 and continuing a northeast track, the tornado began producing EF-2 to EF-3 damage to residences along Sprayfield Road to Lena Expressway. The tornado then continued northeast where it completely destroyed a mobile home near the intersection of Highway 3 and Highway 601, tragically claiming the lives of 2 adult males. Continuing on a northeast track, the tornado heavily damaged homes near the intersection of Turner Expressway and Brandy Lane, including completely destroying a mobile home that tragically claimed the lives of 2 adult females and 1 adult male. The tornado then reached peak EF-4 intensity along Lento Road where the roof and all exterior/interior walls of a two story home were removed and dispersed across the yard. The tornado then began a weakening trend while tracking further northeast, eventually crossing Highway 278, Yemassee Highway and ending approximately 1 mile beyond the intersection of Old Salkehatchie Highway and Archie Road before the Hampton/Colleton County line.

Overall, the tornado path stretched approximately 24 miles, claiming the lives of 5 individuals in the hardest hit areas just south of Estill, South Carolina and across Nixville, South Carolina. Additionally, 60 people sustained injuries associated with the tornado tracking through this hardest hit area, including a few individuals that were thrown 30 to 50 yards from mobile homes and individuals that were in homes that received EF-3 to EF-4 damage.

The Jasper County 911 Call Center reported a tree down on Edison Smith Road.

A trained spotter reported structural damage, debris, and trees down on power lines near the intersection of Highway 63 and Ashton Road.

A Dorchester County emergency manager reported power lines down in the 100 block of Bryant Road.

A Dorchester County emergency manager reported power lines down in the 100 block of Bryant Road.

A Dorchester County emergency manager reported power lines down in the 100 block of Bryant Road.

A National Weather Service Storm Survey Team confirmed an EF-1 tornado with an estimated maximum wind speed of 90 mph in southwest Colleton County. The tornado formed just west of Route 21 in southwest Colleton County, then traveled northeast before dissipating near Cane Branch Road. The tornado snapped off a couple dozen pine trees and broke off some tree branches along the path.

A National Weather Service Storm Survey Team confirmed an EF-1 tornado with an estimated maximum wind speed of 105 mph about 5 miles west-southwest of Walterboro, South Carolina. The tornado formed along Route 63 west of Interstate 95 and traveled northeast, eventually crossing over Ulmer Lake Drive and Beach Road before dissipating near the Ashepoo River and Jones Swamp Creek just west of Interstate 95. The tornado produced extensive tree damage in the vicinity of Beach Road. Hundreds of trees were snapped off or uprooted along the tornado path.

A National Weather Service Storm Survey Team confirmed an EF-1 tornado with an estimated maximum wind speed of 110 mph near Walterboro, South Carolina. The tornado formed near Route 63 about 4 miles southwest of Walterboro. This tornado grew in size as it tracked through Walterboro, then continued northeast through the Low Country Regional Airport, before remaining about 1 mile west-northwest of Highway 17, sporadically touching down between Sidneys Road to Red Oak Road. The tornado then dissipated just northeast of Cottageville, South Carolina.

This tornado produced extensive tree damage along the path across northwestern portions of Walterboro with many hundreds of trees snapped off or uprooted. Trees falling on houses or winds associated with the tornado produced mainly minor damage to hundreds of residences and some businesses. Inflow winds into the tornado also produced significant tree and some structural damage across the central and southeastern portions of Walterboro. At the Low Country Regional Airport, winds associated with the tornado or winds flowing into the tornado damaged or destroyed most hangers and nearly two dozen aircraft. The tornado then mainly snapped or uprooted trees while sporadically touching down between the airport to just northeast of Cottageville, South Carolina.

A Dorchester County emergency manager reported power lines down and a tree blocking the roadway near the intersection of Raysor Street and Sears Street.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol reported an overturned tractor trailer and numerous trees snapped off and down near mile marker 55 on Interstate 95.

A trained spotter reported several trees down along Route 17 on the south side of the Walterboro city limits.

The Colleton County Fire Rescue Emergency Management Division reported a tree down on a residence in the 700 block of Barracada Road due to strong inflow winds near a passing tornado. Three people were trapped inside, which included one injured person and one adult female fatality.

The public reported trees in back yard snapped off, uprooted or gone. Part of a roof from another residence was in the back yard.

The public shared photos and videos showing major damage to a shed, minor structural damage to a home, and numerous trees down near the 3000 block of Cottageville Highway.

A picture via social media indicated a tree down in the parking lot.

A NWS employee reported numerous trees snapped off and uprooted on Highway 17A between Round O and Cottageville.

A National Weather Service Survey Team confirmed an EF-1 tornado with an estimated maximum wind speed of 102 mph near Givhans, South Carolina. The tornado began near Route 61, south of Givhans Ferry State Park, and moved northeast, dissipating just northeast of the intersection between Carter Road and Queen Drive. Along the path, the tornado caused sporadic snapped trees and uprooted many trees. A two ton wood crate container was also lifted and overturned at a residence near Carter Road along the end of the tornado path. There was significant straight-line wind damage to trees just south of this path, along and north of Campbell Road.

A National Weather Service Storm Survey Team determined that straight line winds of around 105 mph snapped and uprooted many trees along and north of Campbell Road. This damage occurred just south of a tornado that touched down near route 61.

A Dorchester County emergency manager reported a tree down on a house and vehicle in the 2200 block of Old Beach Road with a resident trapped inside the home. Another tree was also down on another residence in the 2200 block of Old Beech Road and other trees were down and blocking the roadway on Old Beech Road near Shad Lane and Campbell Road.

A Dorchester County emergency manager reported a tree down with power lines and blocking Givhans Road between Carters Road and Highway 61.

Information via social media indicated a tree down on a house and a gas station sign damaged.

A NWS employee reported a large tree down on Highway 17A near Canaan Road.

A Dorchester County emergency manager reported trees down and partially blocking the roadway on Givhans Road near Way Hall Road.

A Dorchester County emergency manager reported trees down and blocking the roadway on Snipes Lane near the intersection with Givhans Road.

A Dorchester County emergency manager reported a tree down and blocking the roadway in the 200 block of School Street.

A Dorchester County official reported trees and power lines down behind a residence in the 300 block of Greyback Road.

A Dorchester County emergency manager reported trees down and damage to a well house, fence, and other property along the 200 block of Winningham Road. Trees were also reported down and blocking Winningham Road near the intersection with Orangeburg Road.

A Dorchester County official reported a large tree down with power lines on Greyback Road in the Jedburg Community.

A Dorchester County emergency manager reported power lines down on West Richardson Avenue near the intersection with Pidgeon Bay and Parsons Road.

A trained spotter reported trees down and snapped tree tops along with power lines down on Allspice Drive between Cinnamon Road and Greyback Road. Winds were estimated to be 60-70 mph.

A Dorchester County emergency manager reported a tree fell through the roof of a residence and destroyed an upstairs bathroom along the 200 block of Austin Creek Court.

A Dorchester County emergency manager reported trees down and blocking Orangeburg Road between Highway 78 and Greyback Road.

A social media video indicated numerous trees down and debris along Highway 78 outside the Drakesborough neighborhood.

A Dorchester County emergency manager reported power lines down in the 300 block of Sprucewood Drive.

A Dorchester County emergency manager reported a tree down in the 200 block of Hodge Road.

A Dorchester County emergency manager reported trees and power lines down in the 1500 and 1600 block of Dawson Branch Road.

Law enforcement reported power lines down on Interstate 26 westbound near mile marker 189.

The Jasper County 911 Call Center reported a tree down near the intersection of Great Swamp Road and Lynchs Ford Road.

A trained spotter reported a tree and multiple limbs down.

A trained spotter reported a 12 inch diameter tree down along with several significant oak tree branches on Killarney Trail.

The Jasper County 911 Call Center reported a tree down near the intersection of Levy Road and Nelson Court.

A trained spotter reported 35 trees down or severely damaged in Del Webb Subdivision in Cane Bay.

The National Weather Service Storm Survey Team confirmed an EF-3 tornado with an estimated maximum wind speed of 145 mph just east of Moncks Corner, South Carolina. The tornado began in the Fairlawn Subdivision, just east of Moncks Corner. Several homes had significant damage along Old Fort Road and Dennis Boulevard. There was a home at the east end of Dennis Boulevard that had significant damage to justify the EF-3 tornado rating. There was also extensive snapping and uprooting of trees, as well as vehicle and trailer damage in the area. The tornado moved east-southeast, generally down Dennis Boulevard, then east across the west branch of the Cooper River, before turning east-northeast across South Carolina 402 and Cane Gully Road. At this location, a mobile home was completely destroyed and several other homes and structures sustained significant damage. The tornado then continued east-northeast snapping and uprooting trees, with significant damage to at least one home off of Myrtle Lane, and minor roof and siding damage to approximately four additional homes just south of Bullhead Road. The tornado then dissipated near the intersection of Myrtle Lane and Wright Road. This tornado was part of a family of tornadoes that began more than 100 miles to the southwest, in Screven County, Georgia.

A trained spotter reported damage to homes in the Windsor Hill Neighborhood with shingles blown off roofs, siding damage and downed fencing. Several large limbs were also down in the area.

An emergency manager reported a tree down near the intersection of New Riverside Road and Old Palmetto Bluff Road.

An emergency manager reported a tree down on power lines.

Fire department personnel reported 5 large diameter trees either snapped off or uprooted. Trees were also leaning on power lines across the area.

An emergency manager reported a tree down on a house.

A Beaufort County emergency manager reported a tree down on Providence Road.

An emergency manager reported a tree down on Broad River Road.

Law enforcement reported a tree down and blocking Ribaut Road between Hermitage Road and Depot Road.

A Beaufort County emergency manager reported a tree down on a power line near the Spanish Moss Trail access point at Broome Lane.

A trained spotter reported a seven inch diameter tree uprooted, roof shingles blown off a home, three wooden storm shutters torn from anchors and several large tree limbs down near the intersection of Carteret Street and Craven Street.

A video provided by the media indicated multiple trees snapped, large branches down, and a small boat flipped over on East Bajala Drive.

A National Weather Service Storm Survey Team confirmed an EF-0 tornado with an estimated maximum wind speed of 85 mph near Bethera, South Carolina. The weak tornado began just south of Lem Road, then moved north-northeast across Lem and Bethera roads, before dissipating just northwest of Bethera. The tornado snapped and uprooted multiple trees along the path, and at least one home had a limb blown onto the roof along Witherbee Road.

An emergency manager reported a tree down near the intersection of Coosaw River Drive and Sams Point.

A trained spotter reported over 10 trees and large branches down near Park Square off Coosaw Point Boulevard.

A National Weather Service Storm Survey team confirmed an EF-1 tornado with an estimated maximum wind speed of 108 mph just southwest of Jamestown, South Carolina. The damage survey along with high resolution satellite data indicated the tornado began just south of French Santee Road near Redding Lane. The tornado tracked northeast across French Santee Road near Benjys Trail, dissipating about a mile northeast of the intersection of Guilliard Lake Road and Forest Road 269 in a heavily wooded area. Many trees were snapped and uprooted along the tornado path, with some minor roof damage to one home at the corner of French Santee Road and Benjys Trail.

A National Weather Service Storm Survey Team confirmed an EF-2 tornado with a estimated maximum wind speed of 125 mph on Edisto Island, South Carolina. The tornado likely started as a waterspout off the coast and then moved inland across the southern end of Edisto Beach, before continuing a northeast track across a golf course. The tornado ripped portions or large sections of roofs off six homes. The home most impacted by the tornado was on the beach along the 3300 block of Palmetto Boulevard where glass doors and windows were broken in and large sections of the roof were removed. The wall facing the road of the home was pushed towards the road. As the tornado continued northeast, numerous trees were snapped off and uprooted, power lines were knocked down, a boat and several vehicles were damaged, and a trailer was flipped over. Numerous homes had windows blown out or suffered minor siding or roof damage. The tornado then dissipated in the marsh just northeast of Lybrand Street.

An emergency manager reported a tree down near the intersection of William Parkway and Shipyard Drive.

A National Weather Service Storm Survey Team confirmed an EF-1 tornado with an estimated maximum wind speed of 105 mph on the southwest side of Seabrook Island, South Carolina. The same storm that produced a tornado at Edisto Beach, produced a second tornado on Seabrook Island, which developed just west of the intersection of Seabrook Island Road and Camp Christopher Lane, then traveled northeast for about 1.25 miles snapping off or uprooting dozens of trees and breaking off numerous large branches. The most significant tree damage occurred on or near a golf course. Additionally, a garage was significantly damaged at a home when a large tree fell on it. Several other homes sustained minor damage due to trees falling near them or large branches falling on them. The tornado then dissipated just northeast of the intersection of Seabrook Island Road and The Lookout Road.

A trained spotter reported a tree down on Kiawah Beach Drive.

A picture on social media indicated a tin roof partially blown off and in trees.

A National Weather Service Storm Survey Team confirmed an EF-1 tornado with a estimated maximum wind speed of 105 mph on the southwest side of Kiawah Island. The same storm that produced a tornado at Edisto Beach and Seabrook Island produced a third tornado on Kiawah Island. The tornado developed near the 12th hole of a golf course just east of the intersection between Surfwatch Drive and Palm Warbler Road, traveled east-northeast down the fairway and into a residential neighborhood before dissipating just east of Green Winged Teal Road. Evidence of the tornado was clearly seen on both sides of the fairway, where several large trees were snapped or had damage to large branches.

A National Weather Service Storm Survey Team determined a downburst of wind snapped off trees and branches as well as uprooted others in and around Night Heron Park and an adjacent apartment complex. A tree also fell into an apartment, breaking out several home windows, producing minor roof damage, and damage to a porch railing.

A member of the public reported several trees down around their property on Airy Hall, including some roof damage caused by falling trees.

A trained spotter reported a tree snapped and down on a car along Classic Court.