Charleston, SC – South Carolina was hit by four tornadoes on Monday and Tuesday, as Tropical Storm Debby swept through the region, bringing severe weather and strong winds. The National Weather Service confirmed the tornadoes touched down in Edisto Beach, Kiawah Island, Lady’s Island, and Moncks Corner, causing varying degrees of damage but fortunately no injuries or fatalities.
The most significant tornado, rated EF1, struck Edisto Beach on Monday night. It originated from an outer rain band of Tropical Storm Debby over the nearshore Atlantic waters and made landfall near Highway 174 and Palmetto Blvd. With peak winds reaching 97 mph, the tornado caused considerable damage to homes and businesses. Roof decking, shingles, and siding were removed from several residences, and the Enmarket gas station sustained roof damage, with air conditioning units thrown from the roof. The tornado continued northwest, uprooting numerous trees along Palmetto Road and damaging multiple homes along Fishing Creek Drive. The tornado dissipated over a marsh area northwest of Palmetto Road at 9:45 PM EDT, after traveling 2.89 miles. Despite the extensive damage, there were no reports of injuries or fatalities.
Later that evening, an EF0 tornado touched down on Kiawah Island. The National Weather Service reported that the tornado, associated with Tropical Storm Debby, began at 10:55 PM EDT and had peak winds of 85 mph. The tornado moved rapidly northwest, snapping trees and limbs around Surfsong Road and Turtle Point Golf Course before dissipating near Governors Drive at 10:59 PM EDT. The tornado traveled 1.18 miles, causing minor damage but no injuries.
Early Tuesday morning, another EF0 tornado hit Lady’s Island. This tornado developed over Point Creek and moved northwest across a marshy region of the island. It snapped several small trees near Holly Hall Road and Sams Point Road before dissipating at 12:56 AM EDT. The tornado traveled 2.14 miles with peak winds of 85 mph, causing minimal damage and no injuries.
The fourth tornado, rated EF1, struck Moncks Corner on Tuesday morning. The tornado, which formed from a rain band associated with Tropical Storm Debby, began at 2:53 AM EDT and had peak winds of 95 mph. It caused damage to an Applebee’s and Arby’s sign before moving northwest. The Walmart Supercenter sustained minor roof damage, and several trees were uprooted along Mitton Road. The tornado dissipated at 3:00 AM EDT after traveling 3.88 miles. No injuries or fatalities were reported.
