Newberry County Records Strongest Tornado After Isaias Storms

An EF2 tornado struck Newberry County, South Carolina, early Sunday morning after severe weather from the remnants of Hurricane Isaias affected the region. The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado near Henderson Ferry Road and Old Blair Road with 115 mph winds.

According to a National Weather Service storm survey, the tornado touched down around 6:05 a.m. October 11 near the Newberry-Fairfield county line and remained on the ground for about four minutes.

The survey found the tornado traveled about 1.47 miles and reached a maximum width of 450 yards. The storm uprooted numerous trees, but no structural damage, injuries, or fatalities were reported in Newberry County.

The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for northeastern Newberry County as the storm moved through the area. The warning was canceled by 6:15 a.m. as the tornadic storm moved toward Fairfield County.

Newberry County's tornado was the strongest confirmed in South Carolina from the weekend storms. The National Weather Service also confirmed EF1 tornadoes in Allendale and Barnwell counties.

In Screven County, Georgia, residents described the impact of two tornadoes that touched down less than an hour apart. Rene Volf recorded video of one tornado near Halcyondale and said the rotation was visible from her home.

"We could see the actual rotation compared to further off, and so, I got a little nervous," Volf said.

Volf said the storm caused minor damage at her property, including siding pulled away and several branches falling. She described the experience after the tornado passed nearby.

"Nothing that’s unmanageable, but still a scary experience for sure," Volf said.

Volf said she received a text message warning that another tornado was forming shortly after the first storm passed. The second tornado moved farther south and did not strike her home.

"Oh God, please don’t be coming this way too," Volf said.

Residents in Screven County returned to damaged areas as cleanup efforts began. Officials said no serious injuries were sustained throughout the storms, while homes and a local church were damaged.

Volf said the response from neighbors showed the strength of the local community after the tornadoes. Residents helped people affected by the damage.

"That’s the good thing about a small community is everyone will come together in a time of need," Volf said.

Ben Deen, a Screven County resident, described the tornado's movement through the area, where debris from homes and a church was scattered across roads and wetlands.

"It just kind of touchdown and picked up in several different areas it went through there was nowhere that a touchdown and just kept going pick up and move over a little bit and touchdown and pick up and go a little further," Deen said.

Sought Out Church of God and Christ was among the properties damaged in Screven County. Services were canceled after debris affected access to the building.

Johnny Simmons of Sought Out Church of God and Christ said the damage was difficult for members, but they looked for meaning after the storm.

"God does everything for a reason, so, there’s a reason behind all of this. I mean it hurts, but there’s a reason behind all of this," Simmons said.

Sharonda Woods of Sought Out Church of God and Christ said the remaining sign from the church represented persistence after the damage.

"For still standing, still standing yup," Woods said.