Hurricane Helene Summary

Rainfall Reports

Here is a list of rainfall reports from September 25-27, 2024: Link
 

Peak Wind Gusts

Here is a list of peak wind speeds: Link

Regional Peak Wind Gusts

This regional peak wind gusts map (above) was a collaborative effort among several NWS offices, utilizing ground surveys, high-resolution satellite data, and ground based weather observations.

Confirmed Tornadoes

Daufuskie Island, SC - 9/26/2024

Rating:                 EF0
Estimated Peak Wind:    80 mph
Path Length /statute/:  6.66 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   150 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             09/26/2024
Start Time:             07:03 AM EDT
Start Location:         1 SSE Daufuskie Island / Beaufort County / SC
Start Lat/Lon:          32.1046 / -80.8598

End Date:               09/26/2024
End Time:               07:16 AM EDT
End Location:           3 SW Myrtle Island / Beaufort County / SC
End Lat/Lon:            32.1891 / -80.9075

Survey Summary:
An EF-0 tornado, associated with an outer band of Hurricane
Helene, touched down on Daufuskie Island, near Driftwood Cottage
Lane. The tornado then continued northward across Daufuskie
Island, snapping trees on Stoddard Court and on Martinangel Lane
near Captain Monroe Lane. The tornado then crossed over the marsh
between Daufuskie Island and Palmetto Bluff. Trees were snapped
between Corley Street and Maritime Road near Old Moreland Road.
Trees were also snapped on Amaranth Road at Moreland Road. The
tornado then dissipated just north of Big House Plantation Road.

Palmetto Bluff, SC - 9/26/2024

Rating:                 EF0
Estimated Peak Wind:    76 mph
Path Length /statute/:  1.27 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   100 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             09/26/2024
Start Time:             07:20 AM EDT
Start Location:         2 ESE Pritchardville / Beaufort County / SC
Start Lat/Lon:          32.2166 / -80.9281

End Date:               09/26/2024
End Time:               07:22 AM EDT
End Location:           2 E Pritchardville / Beaufort County / SC
End Lat/Lon:            32.2349 / -80.9305

Survey Summary:
A brief, relatively weak tornado, associated with an outer band
of Hurricane Helene, developed near Headwaters Road. At this
point, the there was only some minor and sporadic damage to small
limbs and branches. As it moved rapidly northward, it crossed the
far western marshy area of the May River. It then crossed May
River Road, where its snapped and uprooted some trees, before it
dissipated just to the north.

Lodge, SC - 9/26/2024

Rating:                 EF1
Estimated Peak Wind:    90 mph
Path Length /statute/:  7.81 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   150 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             09/26/2024
Start Time:             12:52 PM EDT
Start Location:         1 NE Ashton / Colleton County / SC
Start Lat/Lon:          33.0207 / -80.9629

End Date:               09/26/2024
End Time:               01:11 PM EDT
End Location:           2 N Ehrhardt / Bamberg County / SC
End Lat/Lon:            33.1243 / -81.0118

Survey Summary:
A short lived tornado ahead of Hurricane Helene touched down near
Gabriel Road in northern Colleton County with a few tree limbs
down and a tree snapped at the trunk. As the tornado approached
641, multiple trees were snapped at the trunk on the northern
side, facing Ashton Branch of Willow Swamp. The tornado continued
to the northwest where multiple tree branches were broken along Ashton
Road, with additional tree branch and limb damage persisting along
Ralphs Road as well. The tornado then turned more northward and passed
to the east of Ehrhardt, SC in Bamberg County, where several trees were
noted snapped at the trunk along Bells Highway and Morningstar Lane.
The tornado then lifted near or just east of 601, near Baucham Road.
Thanks to Colleton County Emergency Management Agency for providing
damage reports for this storm. Finally, thanks to the NWS Columbia office
for their assistance with collaborating this storm damage survey.

Gardens Corner, SC - 9/27/2024

Rating:                 EF0
Estimated Peak Wind:    70 mph
Path Length /statute/:  3.87 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   175 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             09/27/2024
Start Time:             01:29 AM EDT
Start Location:         2 WNW Dale / Beaufort County / SC
Start Lat/Lon:          32.5681 / -80.7162

End Date:               09/27/2024
End Time:               01:32 AM EDT
End Location:           1 NNE Gardens Corner / Beaufort County / SC
End Lat/Lon:            32.614 / -80.7545

Survey Summary:
A brief EF-0 tornado, associated with the outer bands of
Hurricane Helene, impacted portions of Gardens Corner. The
tornado began just southeast of Washington Farm Road, where a few
trees were uprooted and snapped. The tornado then traveled toward
the northwest and snapped and uprooted some trees along Stroban
Road near Daniels Drive. As the tornado approached Highway 17, it
uprooted and snapped a few trees roughly between Dairy Farm Road
and Cherry Oak Mews. The tornado then dissipated over a marshy
area just north of Highway 17.

Bolton's Landing, SC - 9/27/2024

Rating:                 EF0
Estimated Peak Wind:    80 mph
Path Length /statute/:  2.02 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   90 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             09/27/2024
Start Time:             04:00 AM EDT
Start Location:         2 E Red Top / Charleston County / SC
Start Lat/Lon:          32.8001 / -80.095

End Date:               09/27/2024
End Time:               04:03 AM EDT
End Location:           1 N Red Top / Charleston County / SC
End Lat/Lon:            32.8177 / -80.1228

Survey Summary:
A weak, very short lived tornado associated with an outer rain
band of Hurricane Helene touched down near Savannah Highway just
west of Bonanza Rd. A tree was snapped closed to the trunk and
then the tornado persisted northwest towards Aquabelle Ln and
Bluewater Way where at least two large tree were snapped, hitting
two different apartment units in the Bluewater Apartment
complex. There were also many large branches broken throughout
the complex area. The tornado then slightly lifted off
of the ground as it crossed Bees Ferry Road and ended at Saint
Hubert Way, where a few more small branches were noted. A special
thanks to the Charleston County Emergency Management Division for
their help before, during, and after Hurricane Helene.

Wadmalaw Island, SC - 9/27/2024

Rating:                 EF0
Estimated Peak Wind:    80 mph
Path Length /statute/:  2.09 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   125 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             09/27/2024
Start Time:             04:06 AM EDT
Start Location:         2 S Wadmalaw Island / Charleston County / SC
Start Lat/Lon:          32.6555 / -80.1767

End Date:               09/27/2024
End Time:               04:09 AM EDT
End Location:           1 W Wadmalaw Island / Charleston County / SC
End Lat/Lon:            32.6857 / -80.1806

Survey Summary:
A short lived tornado associated with Hurricane Helene impacted
portions of Wadmalaw Island, SC. The tornado initially touched down
in a marshy area just south of Bentz Road. As the tornado exited the
marsh, several large trees were uprooted along Bentz Road and a power
pole was pushed to the ground due a large pine tree falling on it.
The tornado continued to quickly travel north northwest and crossed
Liberia Road near St. Johns Fire Department Station 3 and New Bethlehem
Baptist Church. Here the tornado started to weaken as it downed several
trees near both properties. The weakening tornado then crossed Katy
Hill Road producing a considerable amount of small debris before
dissipating just south of Bears Bluff Road.

Rantowles, SC - 9/27/2024

Rating:                 EF0
Estimated Peak Wind:    70 mph
Path Length /statute/:  1.96 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   90 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             09/27/2024
Start Time:             04:20 AM EDT
Start Location:         1 NNE Rantowles / Charleston County / SC
Start Lat/Lon:          32.7925 / -80.1404

End Date:               09/27/2024
End Time:               04:22 AM EDT
End Location:           2 WNW Red Top / Charleston County / SC
End Lat/Lon:            32.8179 / -80.1555

Survey Summary:
A weak, very short lived tornado associated with an outer rain
band of Hurricane Helene touched down near Savannah Highway near
Davison Road where it caused two power poles to lean. The tornado
then continued northwest to Carriage House Way where a tree was
uprooted and a few limbs were noted down. The tree that was
uprooted appeared to have a shallow root system and therefore the
wind speed was lowered to a low end EF-0. A few smaller tree
branches were also noted just south of Bulow Landing Road before the
tornado lifted. A special thanks to the Charleston County
Emergency Management Division for their help before, during, and
after Hurricane Helene.

Wadmalaw Island #2, SC - 9/27/2024

Rating:                 EF1
Estimated Peak Wind:    90 mph
Path Length /statute/:  2.48 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   150 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             09/27/2024
Start Time:             04:40 AM EDT
Start Location:         1 NW Rockville / Charleston County / SC
Start Lat/Lon:          32.6094 / -80.2016

End Date:               09/27/2024
End Time:               04:43 AM EDT
End Location:           3 NNW Rockville / Charleston County / SC
End Lat/Lon:            32.6453 / -80.1981

Survey Summary:
A tornado associated with Hurricane Helene impacted portions of
Wadmalaw Island, SC. The tornado, possibly beginning as a
waterspout just west or northwest of Rockville, SC, downed
several large trees along Brigger Hill Road and McCants Road. The
tornado then quickly travelled north snapping and blowing down
several cluster of large hardwood trees along Leadenwah Drive and
Allendale Plantation Road before dissipating in an area of water
and marsh south of Heron Island Way. The tornado was likely at
its strongest passing over Leadenwah Drive where the tree damage
was the most extensive.

Storm Reports

Here is a list of storm reports: Link