Tornado in Darlington County April 25, 2010

Tornado In Darlington County, South Carolina  

The National Weather Service in Wilmington North Carolina conducted a survey of the storm damage that occurred on the evening of April 25 2010. A confirmed tornado touched down four miles east of Oats in Darlington County South Carolina. The tornado proceeded to lift and touch down on five other occasions producing spotty damage along a discontinuous 17 mile path towards the east-northeast.

Segment 1

• Location...4 miles east of oats in Darlington County South Carolina
• Date...April 25 2010
• Estimated time...740 pm
• Maximum EF-Scale Rating...EF1
• Estimated maximum wind speed...100 mph
• Maximum path width...25 yards
• Path length...0.25 miles

Summary

Eyewitness reports indicate the initial touchdown occurred at 7:40 pm four miles east of Oats along East Seven Pines Street. The funnel touched down in a stand of pine trees snapping approximately 30 of them several feet off the ground. The largest of the snapped trees was 12 inches in diameter. The tornado moved east into a cluster of homes and mobile homes. One single wide mobile home was blown 20 yards off its frame and completely destroyed. The debris was blown into another single wide mobile home which was subsequently destroyed. Also a large pecan tree was uprooted before the funnel lifted off the ground.

Segment 2

• Location...4 miles east of oats
• Date...April 25 2010
• Estimated time...742 pm
• Maximum EF-Scale Rating...EF2
• Estimated maximum wind speed...130 mph
• Maximum path width...50 yards
• Path length...0.2 miles
• Injuries...3

Summary

The second touchdown occurred a few hundred yards to the east. The funnel moved over a stand of trees and descended practically on top of a two story single family residence. This dwelling was blown off its foundation flipped over onto two automobiles and completely destroyed. Three persons were in the home at the time but took shelter in an interior hallway moments before the storm hit. They were transported to the hospital...treated for minor injuries and released. A Ford Ranger pick-up was lifted and dropped approximately 50 yards away. A horse trailer was lifted and dropped 100 yards away. A large wood framed workshop and horse barn were also destroyed. The tornado moved east approximately two tenths of a mile and damaged or uprooted several trees as it lifted.

Segment 3

• Location...2 miles southwest of Darlington
• Date...April 25 2010
• Estimated time...745 pm
• Maximum EF-Scale Rating...EF1
• Estimated maximum wind speed...90 mph
• Maximum path width...15 yards
• Path length...0.25 miles

  Summary

  
  The tornado touched down for a third time near Syracuse Street and Rogers Road. An unanchored double-wide mobile home was rolled off its foundation and onto its side. Along Syracuse Street several large trees were uprooted or snapped or had large branches broken off. Several homes suffered minor to moderate shingle damage and many were damaged as a result of falling trees or branches.

  

   

  Segment 4

  • Location...2 miles southwest of darlington
  • Date...April 25 2010
  • Estimated time...745 pm
  • Maximum EF-scale rating...EF1
  • Estimated maximum wind speed...100 mph
  • Maximum path width...25 yards
  • Path length...0.2 miles

  Summary

  
  After briefly lifting the tornado approached Highway 401 (Lamar Highway) and caused major damage to a large steel building. Two bay doors were blown in and a large portion of the roof was lifted and blown off. Sheet metal from the roof was strewn for about 200 yards. A small wooden garage and building were destroyed before the tornado lifted near Highway 401.

  Segment 5

  • Location...South Darlington
  • Date...April 25 2010
  • Estimated time...750 pm
  • Maximum EF-Scale Rating...EF2
  • Estimated maximum wind speed...115 mph
  • Maximum path width...75 yards
  • Path length...1 mile

  Summary

  
  The tornado descended once again between Lighty Street and Southern Pine Street. Numerous hardwood trees were uprooted or snapped. A few up to 24 inches in diameter were snapped a few feet from the ground. There was significant damage to some residential homes that was caused primarily by falling trees or branches. The tornado continued across Highway 52 business where several businesses and structures sustained minor to moderate damage. A set of car wash bays were blown over and a church lost many shingles and a small portion of its roof. The tornado continued west of Highway 52 business through a residential neighborhood. Several large trees up to 20 inches in diameter were uprooted. A large section of roof was blown off of a home. Cain Elementary School suffered significant damage as many awnings were damaged or destroyed and one building lost half of its roof. The tornado lifted through the treetops shortly after causing the roof damage to Cain Elementary. As the tornado lifted several residences sustained minor to moderate damage from falling trees or branches and some shingle damage was noted to a few homes.

  

  Segment 6

  • Location...2 miles south of Mechanicsville In Darlington County
  • Date...April 25 2010
  • Estimated time...808 pm
  • Maximum EF-Scale Rating...EF1
  • Estimated maximum wind speed...100 mph
  • Maximum path width...50 yards
  • Path length...100 yards

  Summary

  ...
  The last observed damage occurred to trees as the tornado touched down briefly along South Charleston Road. About a dozen trees were either snapped off or uprooted some as large as 18 inches in diameter.