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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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