EF3 tornado in Barnwell County, South Carolina

Sentinel Satellite Data from April 13, 2020 clearly showed a damage scar beginning at the western edge of Parr Pond in the Savannah River Site and ending near the intersection of Highway 278 and State Road 21. A tornadic debris signature detected by the KCAE radar aligns with the damage scar. A ground survey also indicated a few trees down just off a field on the eastern side of Fellowship Road as the tornado dissipated. Based off of the above information and correspondence with a Savannah River Site official, it is estimated that winds reached EF-3 strength, with speeds up to 138 mph.

A squall line rolled through the region during the early morning hours of April 13, 2020. Strong instability and shear led to numerous severe thunderstorm wind gusts along with several tornadoes. In total, across central SC, there were 5 EF-3 tornadoes, 1 EF-2 tornadoes, and 1 EF-1 tornado. Two fatalities, and several injuries, occurred with the tornadoes.