The National Weather Service of Columbia states that five counties suffered damage from the twisters, one of which reached powerful EF-3 status, meaning it generated winds between 136 and 165 mph. The NWS now estimates that eight tornadoes hit the state, up from the five it had estimated late last week. Also, 55 homes were destroyed or damaged by the storms last week.
No deaths have been reported.
According to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, the state has averaged 11 tornadoes each year since 1950. Those tornadoes killed a total of 47 people and caused 1,057 injuries.
South Carolina ranks 26th in the United States in the number of tornado strikes and 18th in the number of tornadoes per square mile. The most common type of tornado, the relatively weak and short-lived type, occurs between March and May, but tornadoes can occur almost anywhere at anytime, the EMD says.
The more powerful EF-3 tornado last week tore through Allendale County. It was first identified at 6:03 p.m. on Tuesday and continued through Bamberg and Orangeburg counties until 6:53 p.m., the NWS states.
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