Three tornadoes were confirmed in the CSRA during severe storms on Sunday, resulting in significant damage across Burke and Barnwell counties and affecting areas in Georgia and South Carolina, with no reported injuries thus far.
On Sunday morning, severe storms in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) resulted in the confirmation of three tornadoes. The National Weather Service conducted damage surveys in Barnwell and Burke counties on Monday, confirming two EF-0 tornadoes in Burke County and one in Barnwell County. These tornadoes, although rated the lowest on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, can cause significant damage, as observed across the region.
The tornadoes were expected, given the radar indications that prompted five tornado warnings in the CSRA earlier in the day. However, official confirmation came only on Monday. In addition to the confirmed tornadoes in CSRA, other tornadoes were reported in Paulding and Mitchell counties in Georgia, as well as one touching down in South Carolina over Lake Murray.
In South Carolina, the National Weather Service verified that an EF-1 tornado touched down at 7:38 a.m., particularly affecting the Timberlake neighborhood. This tornado had a width of 125 yards and traveled a path measuring 5.8 miles, with peak winds reaching approximately 90 mph.
In Paulding County, the EF-1 tornado caused significant destruction, damaging 14 homes and several businesses. Residents described chaos as they took cover when the tornado struck. Fortunately, no injuries were reported despite the extensive damage, and community members joined forces to assist those in need following the disaster.
In Mitchell County, the Pebble City Baptist Church sustained minor damage while surrounding areas suffered more severe impacts. Pastor Ronnie Kinsaul expressed gratitude for the church’s survival, noting that it could have been devastating had the tornado struck directly. Although there were numerous downed trees and damaged structures, reports indicated no injuries in Mitchell County.
Additionally, tornadoes impacted parts of Alabama, near Troy, causing road closures and power outages, with further devastation noted in other counties where fatalities occurred. Reports indicate significant infrastructure challenges arising from these storms as recovery efforts begin in affected areas.
In conclusion, the severe weather on Sunday resulted in three confirmed tornadoes in CSRA, leading to destruction in several counties. The EF-0 tornadoes in Burke and Barnwell counties, along with the EF-1 tornadoes in Georgia and South Carolina, inflicted notable damage but fortunately resulted in no injuries. Community efforts to assist those affected demonstrate resilience amidst the devastation, while recovery efforts are now underway to restore normalcy in the impacted regions.
Original Source: www.wrdw.com
