EF-2 Tornado Confirmed in South Carolina Saturday, More Severe Weather Expected
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)- The National Weather service has confirmed an EF-2 tornado touched down in South Carolina on Saturday.
Weather officials said the twister caused damage from Blackville County to Cope in Orangeburg County.
On Saturday heavy storm damage ripped through Orangeburg county. Knocking down trees, power lines, and signs near Highway 70 and Highway 332.
An EF-2 tornado can reach wind speeds of 111 to 135 miles an hour. These type of tornadoes can cause roofs to be torn off well-constructed houses, foundations of frame houses to shift, completely destroy mobile homes and snap or uproot large trees. EF-2 tornadoes are the third highest level on a tornado intensity scale.
More severe weather is expected to hit the Midlands on Sunday after heavy rain and strong winds ripped through parts of the area on Saturday.
The most active time for severe weather is expected to be between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. There is a high risk of thunderstorms continuing throughout the Midlands and a possible tornado threat
The City of Columbia issued a statement for drivers who plan to travel during the severe weather hours.
The City urges drivers to use caution when driving during severe weather. The following streets and intersections are prone to flooding during heavy rain events. Please avoid these areas during and immediately after heavy rains.
Main and Whaley, Gervais and Laurens. Blossom and Henderson, Blossom and Saluda, Harden and Santee, Monroe and Maple, Two Notch and Read, Wheat and Amherst, Adger and Devine, Wheat and Sumter, Wheat and Pickens, Heyward and Ravenel, Pickens between Wheat and Green, Barnwell and Pendelton, Harden and Read, Harden and Calhoun, Franklin and Marion, Franklin and Sumter, Columbia College and N. Main, Bull and Laurel.
On Saturday heavy storm damage ripped through Orangeburg county. Knocking down trees, power lines, and signs near Highway 70 and Highway 332.
Other areas in South Carolina receiving assistance from the Red Cross due to storm damage. The Red Cross is assisting families in Bamberg and Barnwell counties after severe storms caused major damage or destroyed their homes on Saturday, causing them to be unlivable.
Chief Meteorologist, John Farley will be tracking those storms and bring the latest updates on ABC Columbia and on social media.
