EF2 tornado in Orangeburg County, South Carolina

A tornado touched down in Orangeburg Co SC about 4 miles northeast of Rowesville and tracked northeastward across Interstate 26 and Highway 301. EF0 damage occurred from the intersection of Garland and Bethel Forest Road, where the tornado started, to just prior to crossing I-26. The tornado strengthened producing EF-1 damage across agricultural fields and in the Orangeburg Industrial Park. As the tornado crossed I-26 it further strengthened to EF-2 then crossed Highway 301. The tornado rapidly weakened to EF-1 then just north of Highway 301 and further to EF-0 as it moved into the Middle Pen Swamp. Through the remainder of the tornado path it cycled between EF-1 and EF-0 then crossed into Calhoun Co SC where it finally lifted just north of the intersection of Houcks Gin Road and Old State Road.

The tornado caused numerous hardwood and softwood trees to be snapped along the path and overturned multiple pivot irrigation systems. Damage was done to a tractor dealership with the front windows being shattered and the overhead doors being blown in by the wind. Several of the snapped and uprooted trees were blown onto structures causing roof damage to residential and industrial structures. Damage to grain silos and outbuildings on the north side of Highway 301 was estimated by the owner to be $1 million.

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.