EF2 Tornado — Charleston, South Carolina

2008-05-11 · near Yonges Is, Charleston, South Carolina

Event narrative

A confirmed EF-2 Tornado initially touched down along Bears Bluff Road on Wadmalaw Island, where minor damage was observed. The damage at the initial touchdown location was confined to several trees getting sheared off near the base or twisted to the ground.

The Tornado then traveled east and crossed the Maybank Highway on Wadmalaw Island where major damage was observed. The majority of the damage occurred on the 4800 block of Maybank Highway, where nearly all the trees in the path of the Tornado were twisted to the ground or sheared off near the base. Numerous homes were damaged as the Tornado ripped through, with many sustaining roof and shingle damage. In fact, two homes had a section of there roofs detached and hurled approximately 50 to 100 feet away from the residences. A detached garage also sustained damage, when the suction from the Tornado caused the garage door to get buckled inward into the garage itself, and portions of the tin roof was ripped away and displaced 50 to 75 feet from the garage. A cinder block wall on another home sustained severe damage when a large section of cinder blocks was torn from the wall and hurled into the home. Additionally, a chain link fence around the residence was ripped off and displaced 20 to 30 feet from the supporting poles which held the fence in place. Another home sustained severe damage, as the front porch of the residence was detached and tossed 100 to 150 feet. The same home had the roof lifted 2 to 3 inches from the supporting walls, and a large window curtain was actually pulled upward and into the attic as the Tornado moved through. Quite a bit of damage was also observed in the Long Creek Plantation subdivision, where significant tree damage was observed along with several homes sustaining some minor roof damage.

The Tornado then moved onto Johns Island and crossed Bohicket Road. Moderate damage was observed as it moved through this area of Johns Island. The majority of the damage was confined to trees being sheared off near the base or twisted to the ground. Several homes did sustain some minor roof damage as shingles were lifted and displaced from the residences.

Minor damage was observed on River Road when the Tornado weakened before lifting just south of the Charleston Executive Airport. The damage along River Road was confined primarily to several downed trees. A tin roof of a shed sustained minor damage as well, as it lifted slightly but remained intact.

The Maximum sustained winds were estimated to be 120 mph with this Tornado. The total path length was 12 miles, with a path width of 1 mile when it crossed Maybank Highway and six tenths of a mile when it crossed Bohicket Road. Although significant damage occurred, no injuries were reported.

Wider weather episode

A warm front lifted northward through southern South Carolina and southeast Georgia during the morning, with a strong cold front then sweeping through the area during the evening. This resulted in several rounds of severe weather across the region.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (32.6900, -80.2000)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 107572. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.