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PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT

National Weather Service Wilmington NC

108 PM EDT Wed May 15 2024



...NWS Damage Survey for 05/14/2024 Tornado Event



.Marion, SC Tornado...



Rating:                 EF-1

Estimated Peak Wind:    90 mph 

Path Length /statute/:  1.84 miles 

Path Width /maximum/:   80 yards 

Fatalities:             0

Injuries:               0



Start Date:             May 14, 2024

Start Time:             6:10 PM EDT

Start Location:         Marion, SC

Start Lat/Lon:          34.17515, -79.40901



End Date:               May 14, 2024

End Time:               6:13 PM EDT

End Location:           Marion, SC

End Lat/Lon:            34.19415, -79.38662



Survey Summary:

Storm survey of damage in the Marion, SC area indicated that a 

tornado touched down briefly on Tuesday May 14, 2024 between 6:10 

PM EDT and was on the ground until 6:13 PM EDT before ending north

of Luther Rogers Road. 



The tornado formed near the intersection of Baker Street and 

Baptist Street in southeast Marion, SC. Large limbs were down 

across nearby roadways and minor roof damage was observed near 

this location. The tornado continued northeast and created some 

damage near Mullins Street and Withlacoochee Street. Damage here 

remained rated at EF-0 (approximately 70 mph). Power lines were 

wrapped around tree limbs and an electrical meter head had been 

detached from the side of the house. A large tree fell near the 

intersection and damaged a small fence. Additional minor roof 

damage to surrounding homes was observed. Large downed tree limbs 

were observed along McEachern Heights Street, 2nd Avenue, and in 

Amazing Grace Park.



The most significant damage occurred in downtown Marion along 

Main Street. A roof completely collapsed near the city center with

limited damage to the exterior walls. Across the street, windows 

and window dividers were completely blown out. A wall on the 

second floor was pushed inward and its attached window and window 

seals were missing. An adjacent building lost a large portion of 

roof covering which fell to the street below. All debris was 

scattered in multiple directions.



The tornado continued toward the northeast and snapped tree tops 

near the intersection of Fairlee Street and Wheeler Street. 

Portions of roof coverings were missing from a few homes and 

businesses. Damage here was not as significant as on Main Street. 

Additional damage was not observed for one mile indicating the 

tornado was likely making contact with the ground intermittently. 

Along Luther Rogers Road, a trampoline that had previously been 

secured with large metal stakes was lofted into the side of a 

neighbors home two homes to the east. As the trampoline was 

lofted, it made contact with siding and solar panels of the 

adjacent neighbor before hitting the side and penetrating the 

vinyl siding of the neighbor two homes east. 



The majority of the damage was rated at EF-0 and 70 mph, but 

significant damage downtown indicated peak intensity as described 

above. There was a lack of significant tree damage typically seen 

with tornadoes which may indicate that the tornado did not contact

the ground for a long period of time. It is worth noting all 

buildings on Main Street that observed significant damage were two

to three story masonry buildings.



&&



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.



$$



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