Hurricane Helene Sparks Surprise Tornadoes in Beaufort County

Hurricane Helene Causes Tornadoes to Touch Down in Beaufort County

BEAUFORT, SC – It’s been a wild weather week here in Beaufort County as Hurricane Helene brought a flurry of activity, including three confirmed EF-0 tornadoes. The National Weather Service’s Charleston Office reported that between Thursday and Friday mornings, the power of Helene unleashed tornadoes that surprised residents.

Tornado Warnings Issued Early

On Wednesday, residents were alerted by the NWS to gear up for possible tornadoes because meteorologists mentioned that the storm had a “very good” setup for tornado formation. Tornadoes often spring up in the wake of hurricanes and tropical storms. This happens because, as the outer bands of a storm move over land, the winds closer to the ground get slowed down while the winds at higher altitudes remain strong. This difference in wind speed and direction creates what’s called wind shear, a key ingredient for tornado formation.

First Tornado Touches Down

The first warning went off at 7:05 a.m. Thursday, just moments after a tiny but mighty EF-0 tornado with winds reaching about 80 mph hit Daufuskie Island near Driftwood Cottage Lane at 7:03 a.m. This tornado traveled a hefty 6.66 miles and had a path width of 150 yards, spinning its way north across the island before lifting off near Big House Plantation Road on the mainland.

Second Tornado Warning

Just after the first tornado, at around 7:18 a.m., another warning sounded. Within two minutes, another EF-0 tornado with 76 mph winds touched down near Headwaters Road in Palmetto Bluff, close to Pritchardville. This little whirlwind spun for 1.27 miles and had a narrower path width of 100 yards. It danced its way through the marshy areas of the May River before finally dissipating north of May River Road. Quite a lot of action for a small region!

Late Night Tornado Surprise

As if the morning hadn’t been exciting enough, at around 1:29 a.m. Friday, a third tornado made its presence known in the Gardens Corner area, north of Beaufort. With winds nearly hitting 70 mph, this EF-0 tornado touched down southeast of Washington Farm Road and flowed northwest across Stroban Road near Daniels Drive. It traveled 3.87 miles and had a wider path of 175 yards before dissipating near US Highway 17 in a marshy area. Talk about a late-night surprise!

Understanding Tornado Ratings

For those curious, tornado ratings are based on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, which estimates wind speeds and related damages. An EF-0 tornado, like the ones we experienced, must have gusts of 65 to 85 mph. According to Jonathan Lamb, a meteorologist with the NWS, as of Monday morning, these three tornadoes were the only confirmed incidents in Beaufort County since the storm began. Last month, two short-lived EF-0 tornadoes had touched down in the area during Tropical Storm Debby.

Final Thoughts

As Beaufort County shakes off the effects of Hurricane Helene, the experience serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of weather during storm season. Residents are encouraged to stay alert and prepared as storms can lead to sudden and surprising weather events. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for calmer winds ahead!