EF3 Tornado — Oconee, South Carolina

2020-04-13 · near Oakway, Oconee, South Carolina

Event narrative

NWS Storm Survey found the path of a strong EF3 tornado that began across southern Oconee County, just south of Westminster along Retreat Rd and W Oak Highway. As the tornado moved northeast, damage was largely confined to uprooted and snapped trees as it crossed Highway 11, Brown Farm Rd, and the Coneross Creek drainage before moving into the southwest side of Seneca. The tornado intensified rapidly after crossing S Radio Station Rd. A house on Return Church Rd experienced complete structural collapse, which combined with surrounding vegetation damage of numerous trees snapped and/or debarked was suggestive of strong EF3 damage, or 160 mph peak wind gusts. The tornado maintained EF3 intensity as it continued northeast, destroying a significant portion of a manufacturing facility Between Return Church Rd and Wells Highway. A 77-year-old male employee was killed inside the facility. Four other employees received mostly minor injuries. At least strong EF2 damage continued as the tornado approached the center of Seneca, with numerous homes receiving minor to severe damage, including EF3 damage to at least one house on Ploma Dr. The tornado rapidly weakened as it continued northeast into the east side of Seneca, but continued to snap and uproot numerous trees as it crossed Shiloh Rd and Clemson Blvd. The tornado moved over Lake Keowee a couple of miles north of Clemson Blvd, crossing into Pickens County. This was the first EF3 or stronger tornado in upstate South Carolina since 1994. It was also the first known EF3 or stronger tornado to impact the western Carolinas during the overnight hours.

Wider weather episode

A strong storm system impacted the Southeast, resulting in a line of strong to severe thunderstorms that moved across upstate South Carolina during the early morning hours of the 13th. This resulted in severe weather, including a couple of strong tornadoes, one of which was the strongest tornado to impact the upstate area in more than 25 years.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (34.6170, -83.0840)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 886100. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.