x
Breaking News
More () »

Three tornadoes touchdown in Lexington County

The National Weather Service spent Thursday surveying storm damage. It's the first time in 9 months that tornadoes touched down in the Midlands.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The National Weather Service office in Columbia has confirmed a third tornado that occurred in Lexington County on Wednesday.

At 10:44 a.m., an EF-0 tornado with peak winds of 75 miles per hour was tracked across central Lexington county. The National Weather Service has stated that the tornado likely began in a wooded area between Cathy Lane and Old Orangeburg Road. The tornado then continued east-southeast where it would eventually dissipate near Greenwood Drive. The EF-0 tornado produced sporadic damage across its 2.9-mile path, such as uprooting trees and snapping large branches.

The survey of the second EF-0 tornado southeast of Gilbert has not yet been completed. At this time, the tornado is known to have produced damage along Calls Ferry Road and Nazareth Road. Damage reports include down trees and powerlines. 

As for the third EF-0 tornado, it occurred in far southern Lexington County and far northern Orangeburg County near and north of Woodford. 

An EF-0 tornado was also reported in the Wagener area of Aiken County.

If additional or more significant damage is found that's connected to these tornados, the ratings could change. 

Here is how tornadoes are rated:

  • EF-0: 65-85 mph
  • EF-1: 86-110 mph
  • EF-2: 111-135 mph
  • EF-3: 136-165 mph
  • EF-4: 166-200 mph
  • EF-5: 201 mph or more

Before You Leave, Check This Out