EF1 tornado in Marion County, South Carolina

Storm survey of damage in the Marion, SC area indicated that a

tornado touched down briefly on Tuesday May 14, 2024 between 6:10

PM EDT and was on the ground until 6:13 PM EDT before ending north

of Luther Rogers Road.

The tornado formed near the intersection of Baker Street and

Baptist Street in southeast Marion, SC. Large limbs were down

across nearby roadways and minor roof damage was observed near

this location. The tornado continued northeast and created some

damage near Mullins Street and Withlacoochee Street. Damage here

remained rated at EF-0 (approximately 70 mph). Power lines were

wrapped around tree limbs and an electrical meter head had been

detached from the side of the house. A large tree fell near the

intersection and damaged a small fence. Additional minor roof

damage to surrounding homes was observed. Large downed tree limbs

were observed along McEachern Heights Street, 2nd Avenue, and in

Amazing Grace Park.

The most significant damage occurred in downtown Marion along

Main Street. A roof completely collapsed near the city center with

limited damage to the exterior walls. Across the street, windows

and window dividers were completely blown out. A wall on the

second floor was pushed inward and its attached window and window

seals were missing. An adjacent building lost a large portion of

roof covering which fell to the street below. All debris was

scattered in multiple directions.

The tornado continued toward the northeast and snapped tree tops

near the intersection of Fairlee Street and Wheeler Street.

Portions of roof coverings were missing from a few homes and

businesses. Damage here was not as significant as on Main Street.

Additional damage was not observed for one mile indicating the

tornado was likely making contact with the ground intermittently.

Along Luther Rogers Road, a trampoline that had previously been

secured with large metal stakes was lofted into the side of a

neighbors home two homes to the east. As the trampoline was

lofted, it made contact with siding and solar panels of the

adjacent neighbor before hitting the side and penetrating the

vinyl siding of the neighbor two homes east.

The majority of the damage was rated at EF-0 and 70 mph, but

significant damage downtown indicated peak intensity as described

above. There was a lack of significant tree damage typically seen

with tornadoes which may indicate that the tornado did not contact

the ground for a long period of time. It is worth noting all

buildings on Main Street that observed significant damage were two

to three story masonry buildings.

Some low-topped supercells occurred in association with an upper level disturbance in an environment with minimal instability but strong wind shear was present.