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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Charleston SC
1017 AM EDT Fri Apr 24 2020

...UPDATE TO NWS DAMAGE SURVEY FOR APRIL 13, 2020 TORNADO 
EVENT...

.Long Track Tornado in Hampton County, SC...Update to increase
rating to EF-4...

Start Location...3 WNW Scotia in Hampton County SC
End Location...5 NNE Fechtig in Hampton County SC
Date...04/13/2020
Estimated Time...06:10 AM EDT
Maximum EF-Scale Rating...EF4
Estimated Maximum Wind Speed...175 mph
Maximum Path Width...1300.0 yards
Path Length...24.03 miles
Beginning Lat/Lon...32.7045 / -81.2899
Ending Lat/Lon...32.829 / -80.9092
* Fatalities...5
* Injuries...60

...Summary...
Update for upgrade to EF-4 rating: Upon further review of data
gathered during the damage survey, and consultation with subject
matter experts, the Hampton County tornado has been upgraded to an
EF-4. The most intense damage occurred along Lento Road where the
roof and all of the exterior and interior walls of a two story
home were removed and dispersed across the yard. This has been
added to the survey summary below. 

This unusually long track and wide tornado damaged and destroyed 
many residences, including mobile and single family homes. In 
addition, the tornado, which reached a maximum width of about 0.75
mile, caused extensive damage to trees and powerlines along its 
path, which stretched more than 24 miles from southwest of Estill,
to near the Colleton County line. The most significant structural
damage occurred just south of Estill and across Nixville. At 
least six residences were destroyed in the hardest hit areas, but 
there were many others that sustained various levels of damage 
along the entire path. The tornado strengthened shortly after 
crossing Highway 321 south of Estill with EF-2 to EF-3 damage 
done to residences along Sprayfield Road and Lena Expressway. The 
tornado reached peak intensity (EF-4) along Lento Road where the 
roof and all of the exterior and interior walls of a two story 
home were removed and dispersed across the yard. The tornado then 
began a weakening trend. Tragically, five people lost their lives 
in the hardest hit areas just south of Estill and in Nixville. The
damage pattern suggested that this tornado may have consisted of 
multiple vortices, which can occur with stronger tornadoes.

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.

$$