Significant threat for tornadoes in Beaufort County overnight and in morning
The forecast throughout the Lowcountry for the next 24 hours is looking more grim, according to recent updates.
Meteorologists are more confident now in the possibility of severe weather as part of strong storms expected to affect southeast South Carolina starting Sunday evening into Monday morning. Parts of the region are still recovering from devastating tornadoes a week ago.
Multiple rounds of potentially damaging weather are possible in Beaufort County and the Lowcountry, the National Weather Service in Charleston said in an update Sunday.
- Scattered to numerous severe thunderstorms between 6 p.m. Sunday and 2 a.m. Monday. A few of the storms could be severe with the greatest potential for severe weather along and south of 1-16 including the Savannah Metro area.
- A squall line of scattered thunderstorms could develop between 4 a.m. and 11 a.m. Monday.
There is a significant threat the storms will produce damaging winds in excess of 70 mph, and tornadoes EF2 and stronger are possible, the weather service said. Large hail and heavy rain are also possible.
Strong winds could lead to downed trees and power lines, meteorologists said in a briefing Saturday.
In addition, heavy rain could lead to some flooding, especially across inland areas, where at least 2 to 4 inches could fall, the forecast says.
Tornado aftermath
The storms on Sunday could affect outdoors coronavirus testing sites and areas that are still recovering after tornadoes left hundreds of homes damaged in parts of South Carolina on Monday.
Five people were killed in Hampton County by an EF-3 tornado with winds of 165 mph. The Enhanced Fujita Scale rates the weakest winds at EF-0 and the strongest at EF-5.
For comparison, hurricanes are categorized using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, and a Category 5 hurricane has a sustained wind speed of 157 mph or greater.
The single tornado, believed to have consisted of multiple vortices, traveled 24 miles through the county. It formed near Scotia, touching down around 6:10 a.m., and ended near Fechtig, according to the weather service.
The weather service has surveyed the destruction left by nine tornadoes across the state.
This story was originally published April 18, 2020 at 3:43 PM.
