BAMBERG COUNTY, S.C. — The National Weather Service is investigating reports of tornado damage in South Carolina, including a tornado in Bamberg and a possible tornado near Irmo.
The National Weather Service said Wednesday afternoon that the Bamberg tornado was an EF2 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, which measures tornado intensity. It's estimated the winds were about 125 miles an hour and the twister was about 400 yards wide.
The weather service also confirmed there was a tornado on the north side of Lake Murray near Chapin. It started as a waterspout and then moved ashore and was rated an EF1, which means it had wind speeds between 86 and 110 miles an hour. More details are expected to come out later.
A series of severe thunderstorms moved through the region Tuesday leaving behind heavy rain, winds, and damage. Multiple areas reported trees down. While there were power outages in most counties, they were spotty, affecting some areas but not others in the same region.
The worst damage near the Midlands was in the town of Bamberg, where an apparent tornado touched down near the downtown area. Multiple photos posted online by law enforcement and citizens show significant damage to at least two buildings in downtown, with bricks strewn across the main road in the town. At the headquarters of Edisto Electric Cooperative on the edge of town, they reported that they experienced a tornado and posted multiple photos of damage to what appears to be a warehouse.
South Carolina House Representative Justin Bamberg, who's from the Bamberg area, said there were no apparent injuries. He said now the town will focus on rebuilding.
"One of the beauties of living in a small town when things like this happen is your going to see people with their trucks and gloves, chainsaws, and we're going to get through it," Bamberg said.
Former governor and Republican Presidential candidate Nikki Haley said this about her hometown on X, "My heart breaks hearing about the storm damage in my sweet hometown of Bamberg, SC. The people of Bamberg are tough and resilient. They taught me the meaning of neighbors helping neighbors. I know with love and prayer, they will rebuild stronger than they were before. "
A tornado warning had been issued for that area earlier in the afternoon.
Lexington County officials said the NWS is also sending a team to areas near Irmo and Chapin. Lexington County Emergency Services said the investigators will be going to Berl Mar Road near Lake Murray and Irmo as well as West Ridge Court in Chapin. While it's also unclear if that was a tornado, the county said multiple trees are down in that area. They also said a tree fell on an Amazon delivery truck at Old Lexington Highway and Mallard Drive in Chapin but no injuries were reported.
For any residents that have damage in their neighborhoods and need assistance, Mayor Nancy Foster asks that you call City Hall (803) 245-5128.