News Summary
A brief tornado confirmed by weather radar struck the Rock Hill area, causing significant damage to properties, including a barn and multiple uprooted trees. Tornado warnings were issued in response, and residents were advised to seek shelter. This event follows earlier severe weather in Union County, where another tornado caused power outages. The area is currently assessing the damage and emphasizing the importance of preparedness for future storms.
Rock Hill, SC – Brief Tornado Confirmed, Causing Damage
Weather radar data confirmed a brief tornado struck the Rock Hill area on Friday evening, leaving damage in its wake. Viewer Amber Burns Irvin documented the event with video footage along Percival Road, north of South Fork Road, close to Brattonsville. The tornado resulted in notable damage, including destruction of a barn, a playset, and multiple uprooted trees on Irvin’s property.
In response to the tornado, WCNC Charlotte’s Chief Meteorologist, Brad Panovich, verified that radar data indicated the tornado formed just east of the McConnells community. Tornado warnings were issued for parts of Lancaster and Chesterfield counties at approximately 3:45 p.m., but these advisories expired around 30 minutes later as the weather conditions eased.
Friday was designated a Weather Impact Alert day due to anticipated severe thunderstorms. Forecasters had predicted damaging winds and hail in the region. Following the initial storms, multiple severe thunderstorm and tornado watches were lifted after the storms moved through the Charlotte area by 5 p.m. The WCNC Weather Impact Team had accurately forecasted storm development starting in the mountains, with the storms exiting the region before the evening commute, traveling at speeds of up to 45 mph.
As storms progressed, an updated tornado warning was issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) Columbia, SC, for Clarendon County until 5:30 p.m. This warning indicated that a severe thunderstorm with the potential to produce a tornado was located near Santee Cooper Regional Airport, moving eastward at 60 mph. Residents were warned of potentially dangerous flying debris and advised to seek shelter in sturdy buildings, particularly if they were in mobile homes or vehicles.
Areas affected by the tornado warning included Davis Station, Foreston, and Interstate 95 between mile markers 107 and 115. The NWS emphasized the urgency of acting quickly for safety during any tornado event. Experts recommend having a disaster supplies kit ready for emergencies, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Earlier that same week, an EF-1 tornado with winds reaching 90 mph was confirmed in Union County, causing significant damage to buildings and uprooting trees, although there were no reported injuries. This tornado touched down near Porter Ridge High School at approximately 8:35 a.m., leading to localized severe weather that resulted in 1,700 power outages within Union County. The overhead storms affected multiple counties in the area, causing lane closures and accidents on Interstate 85, as well as disrupting numerous flights at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
Additionally, around 200 homes in Rock Hill sustained damage from strong winds and hail produced by a storm over the weekend, prompting the Red Cross to provide emergency shelter for displaced residents. However, official surveys conducted by the NWS did not indicate any tornado activity from this storm. Instead, they attributed the damages to straight-line winds, which ranged between 60 and 90 mph.
As Rock Hill and surrounding areas recover from these weather events, residents are being reminded of the importance of preparedness and awareness regarding severe weather conditions. Monitoring local weather updates is crucial for safety as these storm systems continue to impact the region.
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Severe Thunderstorms Alert for Coastal South Carolina
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Additional Resources
- WCNC: Possible Brief Tornado in York County, SC
- Wikipedia: Tornado
- Herald Online: Weather News
- Google Search: Tornado Safety
- WBTV: Rock Hill Damage Survey
- Google Scholar: Tornado Preparedness
- Charlotte Observer: Weather News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tornado
- WDHN: Damage Report Following Possible Tornado
- Google News: Tornado
Author: HERE Rock Hill
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