Reported Tornado damages homes in Charleston

JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. (WCIV) — A tornado that moved in from the ocean caused property damage overnight on Johns Island and in West Ashley. The National Weather Service issued the tornado warning for southern Charleston County just before 1 a.m. It was later extended to Berkeley and Dorchester counties before expiring at 1:30 a.m. According to St. John’s Fire District officials, calls started coming in around 1 a.m. near Brownswood Road on John’s Island. Emergency responders found heavy debris from downed trees and power lines. Officials said 10 Sonny Boy Lane homes were damaged but no one was injured. By then the damage was done as trees and downed power lines littered the roadways. The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office reported ‘significant property damage’ but no injuries. “The cleanup effort is going very well,” said Battalion Chief James Ghi. “DOT is assisting us and we had Charleston County Emergency Management come in and they’re assisting us.” Chief Ghi said the Department of Transportation had brought in heavy equiptment and Berkeley County Electric crews are clearing downed lines to open roads and get the lights back on. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, there were reports of trees and power lines down near the Limehouse Bridge as well as near River Road and Main Road.