April 5th 2022 Tornado Outbreak

*This information is preliminary and subject to change pending final review of the event and publication in NWS Storm Data.

...SUMMARY OF ALL DAMAGE SURVEYS IN CENTRAL SC AND EAST-CENTRAL
GA FOR THE APRIL 5, 2022 TORNADO EVENT...

Overview: Unless new information is received, the National Weather Service
in Columbia has completed surveying the tornado damage from the April 5, 
2022 tornado event. Here is a recap of all tornadoes in Central South Carolina 
and East-Central Georgia.

In total, there were 1 EF-3 tornado, 2 EF-2 tornadoes, 2 EF-1 tornadoes, and 
3 EF-0 Tornadoes in Central South Carolina and East-Central Georgia. Fortunately 
there were no fatalities and only one known injury. 

EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories:

1. Summary of the Ehrhardt EF1 Tornado 

...EF1 Tornado in Bamberg County near Ehrhardt...

Rating:                 EF1
Estimated Peak Wind:    110 mph
Path Length /statute/:  3.7263 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   250.0 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             04/05/2022
Start Time:             04:18 PM EDT
Start Location:         4 NNE Jennys / Bamberg County / SC
Start Lat/Lon:          33.0736 / -81.0799

End Date:               04/05/2022
End Time:               04:27 PM EDT
End Location:           2 WNW Ehrhardt / Bamberg County / SC
End Lat/Lon:            33.1125 / -81.0357

Survey Summary:
A National Weather Service storm survey confirmed an EF1 tornado
in Bamberg County, SC just west Ehrhardt. The tornado had a path 
length of about 3.75 miles with a maximum path width of 250 yards.
The peak wind associated with the tornado was 110 mph. 

The tornado touched down near St Johns Church Rd between between 
Lizard Rd and Hi Ki Pen Rd. There was scattered tree damage, with 
both softwoods and hardwoods uprooted or snapped as it moved 
northeast across Lizard Rd, Rib Eye Rd and Jager Rd. The tornado 
then continued northeast across Low Country Hwy, snapping and 
uprooting trees on Singleton Rd. The tornado intensified to EF1 
intensity as it crossed a property on Pocketville Rd. The walls 
and roof were blown off of a shed, multiple vehicles and a small 
tractor were spun and shifted, shingles and siding were ripped off
of a house, and many large diameter pine trees were snapped. The 
tornado then destroyed a shed, uprooted 12 large pecan trees, and 
removed a portion of the tin off of a house at the intersection of
Pocketville Rd and Ehrhardt Rd before dissipating.

2. Summary of the Farrell Crossroads EF0 Tornado

...EF0 Tornado in Bamberg County near Farrell Crossroads...

Rating:                 EF0
Estimated Peak Wind:    85 mph
Path Length /statute/:  2.3511 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   200.0 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             04/05/2022
Start Time:             04:39 PM EDT
Start Location:         7 NNE Ehrhardt / Bamberg County / SC
Start Lat/Lon:          33.1807 / -80.9262

End Date:               04/05/2022
End Time:               04:41 PM EDT
End Location:           6 SW Branchville / Bamberg County / SC
End Lat/Lon:            33.1924 / -80.8881

Survey Summary:
A National Weather Service storm survey confirmed an EF0 tornado
in Bamberg County, SC just southwest of Farrell Crossroads. The
tornado had a path length of about 2.35 miles with a maximum path
width of 200 yards. The peak wind associated with the tornado was
85 mph. 

The tornado touched down just east of Hunters Chapel Rd,
crossed Bay View Rd, and dissipated east of Farrells Rd. The
tornado produced sporadic tree damage, with  with both softwoods
and hardwoods uprooted or snapped along its path.

3. Summary of the Branchville EF0 Tornado

...EF0 Tornado in Orangeburg County near Branchville...

Rating:                 EF0
Estimated Peak Wind:    80 mph
Path Length /statute/:  0.9876 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   50.0 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             04/05/2022
Start Time:             04:53 PM EDT
Start Location:         1 E Branchville / Orangeburg County / SC
Start Lat/Lon:          33.2472 / -80.7916

End Date:               04/05/2022
End Time:               04:55 PM EDT
End Location:           2 ENE Branchville / Orangeburg County /
SC
End Lat/Lon:            33.2577 / -80.78

Survey Summary:
A National Weather Service storm survey confirmed an EF0 tornado
in Orangeburg County, SC just east of Branchville. The tornado
had a path length of about 1 mile with a maximum path width of
50 yards. The peak wind associated with the tornado was 80 mph.

The tornado touched down in the athletic fields adjacent to
Branchville High School on Dorange Rd. The metal roof was removed
from an equipment shed, the baseball field backstop was missing a
portion of its fencing, and the bleachers were displaced. The
tornado then continued northeast across a field, removing
sections of roof near the intersection of Thompson Rd and Sub Rd,
before dissipating.

4. Summary of the Bowman EF0 Tornado

...EF0 Tornado in Orangeburg County near Bowman...

Rating:                 EF0
Estimated Peak Wind:    85 mph
Path Length /statute/:  0.7588 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   200.0 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             04/05/2022
Start Time:             05:07 PM EDT
Start Location:         1 SSW Bowman / Orangeburg County / SC
Start Lat/Lon:          33.334 / -80.6961

End Date:               04/05/2022
End Time:               05:09 PM EDT
End Location:           Bowman / Orangeburg County / SC
End Lat/Lon:            33.3417 / -80.6868

Survey Summary:
A National Weather Service storm survey confirmed an EF0 tornado
in Orangeburg County, SC near Bowman. The tornado had a path 
length of about 0.75 miles with a maximum path width of 200 yards.
The peak wind associated with the tornado was 85 mph. 

The tornado touched down near Wayside Dr where it removed 
portions of the tin exterior of a farm equipment storage barn and 
shifted an unanchored helicopter more than 90 degrees. The 
tornado then moved northeast across Dairy Ave where it caused 
damage to approximately 6 acres of a solar farm. The tornado then 
dissipated near Bowman Branch Hwy.

5. Summary of the Aiken/Lexington County EF2 Tornado

...EF2 Tornado From Northern Aiken County into Southern 
Lexington County...


Rating:                 EF2
Estimated Peak Wind:    130 mph
Path Length /statute/:  5.7039 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   100.0 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               1

Start Date:             04/05/2022
Start Time:             05:35 PM EDT
Start Location:         7 ESE Monetta / Aiken County / SC
Start Lat/Lon:          33.791 / -81.4923

End Date:               04/05/2022
End Time:               05:47 PM EDT
End Location:           6 S Gilbert / Lexington County / SC
End Lat/Lon:            33.8328 / -81.4072

Survey Summary:
The National Weather Service storm survey confirmed and EF2 tornado 
from northern Aiken County into southern Lexington County. The 
tornado occurred during the afternoon hours of the 5th. The 
tornado had a path length just under 6 miles with a maximum path 
width of 100 yards. The peak wind associated with the tornado was 
130 mph.

The tornado touched down near the intersection of Holder Road and 
Huckleberry Finn Road. The tornado move quickly to the northeast 
crossing Holder Road and moving along Fishhook Lane. The tornado 
continued northeast moving through the swampy area at the headwaters 
of the North Fork of the Edisto River that includes Shirley Branch 
and Chinquapin Creek. The tornado then crossed I-20 just west of 
mile marker 39, near exit 39. The tornado then crossed Highway 178, 
Fairview Highway, as it continued northeast toward Live Oak Road and 
Annie Hallman Road. 

The tornado produced a path of downed branches, uprooted trees and 
snapped trees. The most significant damage occurred along Holder 
Road and Fishhook Lane. The tornado damaged 3 homes and downed power 
lines in the area. A small wooden home lost a portion of it's metal 
roof. A home was partially pushed off its foundation. Some of 
the supporting piers collapsed and the home had signs of buckling 
along the side and rear walls. This home is were the one injury
occurred, as the roof partially collapsed. The third home was 
damaged when a tree fell on the roof. There were numerous downed, 
uprooted and snapped trees around the 3 homes. The area was initially
inaccessible until county clean up crews arrived. 

The tornado continued northeast along Fishhook Lane where significant 
tree damage occurred. There were numerous large hardwood and softwood 
trees that were snapped at the end of Fishhook Lane. A small metal 
shed was destroyed. A rusted antique car was moved approximately 50 feet 
where it had resided in the shed. A car engine was moved approximately 
35 feet from where it resided in the shed. The home on the property 
had a couple of small areas of damage where the wooden siding was 
removed. 

The tornado continue northeast and moved across the North Fork of the 
Edisto River and then crossed I-20 near mile marker 39. There was 
significant tree damage along the westbound lanes of I-20. Several trees
were uprooted and snapped in the vicinity. 

The tornado moved northeast crossing Highway 178 and produced some minor 
damage to the roof and underpinning of 2 homes and uprooted a few small 
trees along Annie Hallman Road. The tornado finally dissipated just 
beyond the intersection of Annie Hallman Road and Live Oak Road.

6. Summary of the Bamberg/Orangeburg County EF3 Tornado

...Strong EF3 Found in Bamberg County near the Allendale County
Border...

Rating:                 EF3
Estimated Peak Wind:    160 mph
Path Length /statute/:  34.9871 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   500.0 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             04/05/2022
Start Time:             06:03 PM EDT
Start Location:         1 NW Ulmer / Allendale County / SC
Start Lat/Lon:          33.112 / -81.2264

End Date:               04/05/2022
End Time:               06:53 PM EDT
End Location:           2 WNW Bowman / Orangeburg County / SC
End Lat/Lon:            33.3642 / -80.7123

Survey Summary:
Storm Survey teams from National Weather Service Columbia and Charleston
combined to confirm a strong EF3 tornado that developed in Allendale 
County and tracked through Bamberg and Orangeburg Counties before 
dissipating. The tornado had a path length of nearly 36 miles with a 
maximum path width of 500 yards. The peak wind associated with the 
tornado was 160 mph.

The tornado touched down near Ulmer, SC around 603 pm as an EF2 and 
snapped trees and telephone poles. The initial touchdown point was 
along Wells Branch Road near the Barnwell County line in Allendale 
County and crossed into Bamberg county near the intersection of Highway 
321 and Highway 301. After this point, the tornado rapidly intensified 
and moved through a large forest of mostly softwood pine, with hardwood
oaks in the forest for some stretch. As it approached Popeye Rd in 
Bamberg County, the tornado strengthened into a strong EF3 with winds 
estimated at 160 mph. Remarkable damage was done to both softwoods and 
hardwoods in this forest, with an estimated 2 miles of 80-100% forest 
blowdown. In a particularly intense section, the tornado scoured the 
ground and stripped pine needles off of young pine trees. Additionally,
many younger pine trees in this area were debarked and delimbed. On 
either side of this were sections of pine and oak that had been snapped
low, at or below 5 feet, to the ground. Strong EF3 damage is estimated 
to have continued from Popeye Road across Kirkland Creek and then 
towards Wild Flower Road in Bamberg County. From here, the tornado 
weakened a bit  as it approached Alligator road. The tornado was near 
its peak width at this time, then striking a more residential area along
Carver road. Here, one mobile home was completely destroyed, with a home
having its roof completely gone and some partial wall collapses. On 
either side of the center of the track, other homes sustained different 
degrees of damage to their roofs and siding. The tornado continued 
northeastward and maintained some EF2 strength as it did so, primarily 
to trees. Much of the damage on Macedonia Church Rd was from trees 
falling on homes. The tornado showed signs of weakening by this point 
as it approached Orangeburg county, and it is distinctly possible that 
there were multiple weak vortexes impacting only  the tops of trees. EF0
and weak EF1 damage was noted until the county line with Orangeburg, 
where the tornado regained some of its strength and continued doing 
damage. The tornado approached the North Fork of the Edisto river and
impacted a couple of homes, doing some significant tree damage on both
properties. As the tornado approached Freedom Road in Orangeburg County,
it produced EF0 and EF1 damage continuing to snap trees. The tornado 
continued to weaken gradually as it approached the city of Bowman, 
finally dissipating about 2 miles north of the city around 6:53 PM.

7. Summary of the Gaston EF1 Tornado

...EF1 Tornado that affected Lexington and Calhoun Counties...
...The Gaston to Sandy Run Community Tornado...


Rating:                 EF1
Estimated Peak Wind:    105 mph
Path Length /statute/:  5.8862 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   40.0 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             04/05/2022
Start Time:             06:20 PM EDT
Start Location:         1 N Gaston / Lexington County / SC
Start Lat/Lon:          33.8261 / -81.0973

End Date:               04/05/2022
End Time:               06:29 PM EDT
End Location:           6 ENE Gaston / Calhoun County / SC
End Lat/Lon:            33.8518 / -81.0003

Survey Summary:
The National Weather Service storm survey confirmed an EF1 tornado 
that occurred during the afternoon of the 5th. The tornado had a 
path length of just under 6 miles with a widest portion of the 
damage approximately 40 yards. The tornado was on the ground for 
about 9 minutes. 

The tornado initially touched down along Highway 321 near just north 
of the town of Gaston. The tornado brought down several large branches
and damaged a highway speed sign. The tornado continued to move 
northeast near Ball Park Road. The most significant damage began near 
the Lexington County and Calhoun County line along Dixon Road and 
Savany Hunt Creek Road. The tornado then crossed I-26 near mile marker 
122. Between the county line and I-26, the tornado brought down 
numerous large limbs, uprooted trees and snapped a few pine trees. 

The tornado continued northeast to Plantation Estates Road. The tornado 
uprooted and snapped several pine trees. The tornado ended just before 
reaching the Congaree River.

8. Summary of the Manning EF2 Tornado

...EF2 Tornado in Clarendon County in the City of Manning...

Rating: 		EF2 
Estimated Peak Wind: 	115 mph 
Path Length /statute/: 	2.8873 miles 
Path Width /maximum/: 	140.0 yards 
Fatalities: 		0 
Injuries: 		0

Start Date:             04/05/2022
Start Time:             07:38 PM EDT
Start Location:         1 WSW Manning / Clarendon County / SC
Start Lat/Lon:          33.6907 / -80.2292

End Date:               04/05/2022
End Time:               07:42 PM EDT
End Location:           2 NNE Manning / Clarendon County / SC
End Lat/Lon:            33.7196 / -80.1961

Survey Summary:
A National Weather Service storm survey confirmed an EF2 tornado
in Clarendon County, SC in the city of Manning. The tornado had a
path length of nearly 3 miles with a maximum path width of
140 yards. The peak wind associated with the tornado was 115 mph.

The tornado touched down near the corner of W Huggins St and
Brunson St. The tornado pealed back a large portion of the roof
of a building at that intersection, destroyed a playset, and bent
a metal basketball hoop post. The tornado tracked north-
northeast, crossing Paxville Hwy, then flipped a pickup truck in 
the parking lot of Walmart, shifted two rooftop HVAC units 
approximately 15 feet at the Walmart, and lifted and bent roof 
trusses of the structure. The tornado turned northeast and 
knocked down numerous trees at the Kensington Pointe Apartments, 
and along Manchester Dr and Michael Ct just northeast of the 
apartments. Minor roof damage was also observed to several homes 
in this area, with mainly a loss of shingles. 

The tornado then intensified as it approached and crossed Old 
Georgetown Rd, producing the most significant damage in the 
vicinity of Bob White Dr and Gossett Ct. Two newer construction 
homes suffered significant damage in this area and several others 
had minor damage. The two homes with the most damage had garage 
failure and one of them had complete uplift of the roof and all of
the walls blown out in the room over the garage. Two vehicles in 
the driveway and one in the garage were shifted several feet. All 
of the windows in the front of the other house were blown out. The
tornado then moved across the Pocotaligo River and weakened 
before snapping a few trees and overturning a trailer at a 
business near the intersection of Sumter Hwy and June Burn Rd 
where the tornado eventually dissipated.