Tornado Count Rises to 17 as Hurricane Helene Strikes Myrtle Beach and Surrounding Areas

Big Tornado News From Myrtle Beach and Beyond!

Well, folks, what a wild ride we’ve had lately in Myrtle Beach! Our sunny seaside city has faced quite the unexpected twist from Hurricane Helene, leaving many neighbors buzzing about the storm’s impact. Just when we thought we were in the clear, an additional 12 tornadoes were confirmed in our beautiful state, wrapping the total count up to an astounding 17 tornadoes! Can you believe it? This is a reminder that while we love our beach days, Mother Nature can sometimes throw a curveball our way.

What Happened?

The storm has caused quite a bit of chaos with several tornadoes being reported as large, wide, and long-tracked. Many of these twisters have left a trail of damage in their wake. Those in Georgetown County, Marion, Beaufort, and several others have felt the brunt of winds whipping through their neighborhoods.

Tornado Reports

Let’s break down a couple of the notable tornado reports:

• Georgetown County: An EF-0 tornado touched down near Lodge Hall, just south of US Highway 17. It zipped along for nearly 2.5 miles and measured about 20 yards wide. While it wasn’t the strongest tornado, it still left some marks!
• Marion and Horry Counties: Another fast-moving EF-0 twisted down just north of Highway 378 by Pee Dee Crossroads. This one traveled northwest to Brittons Neck, staying on the ground for about 4 miles.
• Beaufort County: Now, this one’s a doozy! An EF-0 tornado made a surprise appearance on Daufuskie Island, snapping trees left and right along Driftwood Cottage Lane and even near Old Moreland Road. It’s hard to imagine a tornado on our lovely islands!

Widespread Effects

These storms haven’t just affected inland areas. There were reports of weaker tornadoes causing widespread tree damage across Charleston County, with some even hitting local apartment units! It’s a reminder that we all need to stay alert, especially during storm season. Even brief tornadoes can uproot trees and cause minor to moderate damage.

More Tornadoes to Talk About!

Let’s not forget some of the wild statistics that came out of this storm. One tornado in Sumter County was reported to be 1000 yards wide – wow! And in Orangeburg County, there was a long-track EF-1 tornado that traveled a whopping 34 miles! That’s enough to make anyone’s head spin, right?

Assessing the Damage

The National Weather Service is still actively working to assess damage as more reports roll in. The tornadoes were not all the same; some were quite brief and relatively weak, while others tore through landscapes with winds reaching up to 95 mph.

Stay Prepared!

With hurricanes, tornadoes, and all kinds of weather events popping up here and there, it’s crucial to keep your emergency plans updated. Make sure you have supplies on hand, know your evacuation routes, and always stay tuned to local weather updates. It can be a challenging time, but Myrtle Beach is a resilient community!

Wrapping Up

So, as we wrap up this news, let’s lean on each other as a community. Share your stories, lend a helping hand to neighbors who may have been affected, and don’t forget to stay safe. We’re all in this together, and together we will weather any storm that comes our way!