National Weather Service Raw Text Product

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NOUS42 KILM 182349
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NCZ087-096-099-105>110-SCZ017-023-024-032-033-039-054>056-058-059-
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PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
649 PM EST Mon Dec 18 2023

...NWS Damage Survey for 12/17/2023 Tornado Event...

.Overview...A tornadic storm developed north of a strong coastal 
low which moved northeast across eastern South Carolina.

.Socastee-Forestbrook...

Rating:                 EF1
Estimated Peak Wind:    95 mph
Path Length /statute/:  2.53 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   150 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             12/17/2023
Start Time:             01:16 PM EST
Start Location:         2 E Socastee / Horry County / SC
Start Lat/Lon:          33.6837 / -78.9737

End Date:               12/17/2023
End Time:               01:20 PM EST
End Location:           2 ESE Forestbrook / Horry County / SC
End Lat/Lon:            33.7081 / -78.9451

Survey Summary:
The tornado touched down south of Socastee Blvd between Everette
St and Tyner St, snapping several large trees and blowing off
portions of roofs from a few mobile homes. It moved north,
skipped across Socastee Blvd, and snapped several large pines
along Village Dr. Eight homes suffered moderate to major damage
as a result of falling trees. The storm cell continued north
across inaccessible property, and emerged near Folly Rd and
Wayland Circle. Significant damage was observed to several homes
and trees. Several trees were snapped or uprooted, and minor to
moderate damage was noted to roofs and siding. One mobile home
was pushed off its block foundation. The tornado appeared to lift
as it crossed the Intracoastal Waterway and touched down again on
the Arrowhead Country Club property. Numerous large hard and
softwood trees were snapped just south of the Flintlake
Apartments. Tree debris was blown into several apartments,
breaking windows and causing moderate roof and siding damage. 

Damage upstream of the initial touchdown, along and south of 
Palmetto Pointe Blvd, was straightline in nature and not the 
result of a tornado. Additional wind damage occurred to the old 
Waccamaw Mall at Fantasy Harbour. Portions of the facade were 
blown off, in addition to several pieces of siding. A few bay 
doors were blown in, and a large section of storefront wall was 
buckled outward a few inches. A few nearby UPS and FedEx trucks
were blown over, in addition to a tractor trailer. This damage 
appeared to be the result of straightline winds that occurred 
after the tornado dissipated and the storm cell bowed 
northeastward. Spotty tree damage was also observed on the 
northeast side of Highway 501 in the River Oaks area.

&&

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

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

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

$$

VAO/CRM