National Weather Service Raw Text Product

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GAZ040-063>065-077-SCZ016-018-020>022-025>031-035>038-041-115-116-
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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Columbia SC
640 PM EST Sun Jan 12 2020

...NWS DAMAGE SURVEY FOR 01/11/2020 TORNADO EVENT...

..North Central High School Tornado in Kershaw County...

Start Location...8 SSE Kershaw in Kershaw County SC
End Location...8 SE Kershaw in Kershaw County SC
Date...01/11/2020
Estimated Time...10:33 PM EST
Maximum EF-Scale Rating...EF2
Estimated Maximum Wind Speed...130 mph
Maximum Path Width...150.0 yards
Path Length...0.56 miles
Beginning Lat/Lon...34.4293 / -80.5303
Ending Lat/Lon...34.4346 / -80.523
* Fatalities...0
* Injuries...0

...Summary...
Considerable damage occurred to North-Central High School in
Kershaw County as a result of an EF-2 tornado with maximum wind
speeds of 130 mph. The tornado began near the intersection of
Lockhart Rd and Keys Ln, then traveled northeast across the
campus of North-Central High School before lifting approximately
a half mile later beyond the parking lot on the northeast side of
the school. The tornado snapped numerous pine trees at the
beginning of the track, then partially collapsed concrete
stadium bleachers and a press box. The tornado continued across the
gymnasium, lifting all of the HVAC units off the roof. The
tornado then lifted most of the roof off of the main office and
an older auditorium, then collapsed the exterior wall along a
portion of the west side of the building. The tornado then moved
into the parking lot on the north side of the building where it
moved 4 school busses, and resulted in broken windows and other
damages to 25-30 parked school busses. The tornado then
destroyed a small building just beyond the parking lot before
lifting. Strong inflow into the tornado also snapped numerous
pine trees south of the baseball field, collapsed 2 large light
stands near the baseball field, and lifted and displaced a conex
shipping container approximately 50 yards. The tornado path length
was about 0.50 miles and the path width was about 150 yards. 

EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the
following categories:

EF0...Weak......65 to 85 mph
EF1...Weak......86 to 110 mph
EF2...Strong....111 to 135 mph
EF3...Strong....136 to 165 mph
EF4...Violent...166 to 200 mph
EF5...Violent...>200 mph

* The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to
change pending final review of the event and publication in NWS
Storm Data.

$$

JAQ/LCV/HC/RJO