COLUMBIA, S.C. — The National Weather Service in Columbia, on Friday, released its final damage survey from the remnants of Fred earlier this week and confirmed five tornadoes in the Midlands.
Three of the tornadoes were rated EF-0 and two tornadoes were rated EF-1. The strongest tornado was near Lake Dreher State Park along the border of Newberry and Lexington counties with maximum winds estimated at 95 mph.
The tornadoes were reported in small sections of Newberry, Lexington, Saluda, and Orangeburg counties. They mainly occurred during the middle of the afternoon, except for the Saluda County tornado which occurred early in the evening with the second rain band that moved through. No injuries were reported.
Twin EF-0 tornadoes south of Lake Murray in west Lexington County
Drone video provided to the National Weather Service confirmed two weak “twin” tornadoes ongoing at the same in Lexington County south of Lake Murray. Both of these were rated an EF-0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale and lasted for only a few minutes.
- Max winds 75 mph
- Path Length 5.19 miles
- Widest point: 50 yards.
- Time: 3:31 p.m. – 3:38 p.m. (7 minutes)
This tornado was the easternmost of the two. It produced minor tree damage as it moved north from Windmill Road to Devil’s Backbone Road and Ridge Road, according to the National Weather Service. It dissipated near Highway 378 at Lake Murray between Rocky Ridge Road and Adam’s Park Road. Drone video provided to the National Weather Service in Columbia confirmed the tornado.
- Max winds 75 mph
- Path length: 4.32 miles.
- Widest point: 50 years
- Time: 3:33 p.m. to 3:43 p.m. (10 minutes)
The National Weather Service storm survey team confirmed an EF-0 tornado, with peak wind speeds of 75 mph, north of Leesville in Lexington County, near the Saluda County border. The tornado produced minor tree damage as it moved northward from near Derrick Hollow Road to near Holley Ferry Road and Highway 378 according to the NWS.
EF 1 tornado near Dreher island in Newberry and Lexington counties.
This was the strongest tornado in the Midlands during the severe weather event. It was categorized as an EF-1 by the National Weather Service.
- Max Wind: 95 mph
- Length: 4.45 miles
- Widest point: 250 yards
- Time: 3:49 p.m. – 3:57 p.m. (8 minutes)
The National Weather Service received video of the tornado developing over Lake Murray about half a mile to the west of Dreher Island State Park. The NWS ground survey indicated trees were snapped and uprooted on Sassafras Lane with one damaging the roof of a home. The tornado moved northeast crossing the entrance to Dreher Island State Park where it snapped or uprooted multiple trees. The tornado then moved back across Lake Murray, lifting northward and moving onshore where it snapped or uprooted numerous trees near Grassy Meadow Court and RB Baker Drive. Along Backwater Court the downed trees hit the roofs of two homes, destroyed the roof of a boathouse and damaged the boat inside, and landed on a pontoon boat resulting in major damage, according to the National Weather Service. The ground survey then notes the tornado continued north across Crystal Cove Court with trees landing on two homes which damaged their roofs and pulling the porch off one of the homes. The tornado dissipated near St. Peters Church Road.
EF1 Tornado in Orangeburg County
This tornado touched down northwest of the city of Orangeburg near Brookdale.
- Max wind: 88 mph
- Length: 0.9 miles
- Max width: 50 yards.
- Time: 5:40 PM – 5:43 PM (3 minutes)
The National Weather Service storm survey team confirmed a low-end EF-1 tornado just north-northwest of the City of Orangeburg. This was the second shortest tornado in both path and duration in the Midlands during the severe weather event, but the second strongest with peak winds of 88 mph.
The tornado touched down along Virginia Drive, just off of Columbia Road, and moved north, according to the NWS. The tornado snapped and uprooted trees that fell on a fence and produced minor damage to a church. However, there was no other damage reported to structures along the path before the funnel dissipated after crossing New Hope Road before reaching Widgeon Road.
EF-0 tornado in Saluda County
This tornado was located near Holston Crossroads and only touched down briefly. It was the weakest tornado confirmed during the severe weather event in the Midlands.
- Max wind: 65 mph
- Length 0.11 miles
- Widest 25.0 yards
- Duration: 8:47 p.m. – 8:48 p.m. (1 minute)
The tornado touched down near the intersection of Double Bridges Road and West Creek Road, where it snapped a couple of trees. The survey team reports that they were not able to confirm additional damage due to lack of ground access, but it appears the homes on Rabbit Lane to the east were untouched by the tornado.