News Summary
An EF-1 tornado struck Chapin, South Carolina, producing peak winds of 95 mph. It traveled a path of 6.17 miles with no injuries reported. The tornado caused tree damage in areas including Lake Side Drive and Old Lexington Highway, prompting cleanup operations by local authorities. During the event, around 3,000 power outages were recorded in Lexington County. The community remains resilient in the aftermath of this natural disaster.
Chapin, SC
The National Weather Service (NWS) has confirmed that an EF-1 tornado touched down in Chapin, South Carolina, on the night of June 9, during severe storm activity. The tornado produced peak wind speeds of 95 mph and traveled a path approximately 6.17 miles long and 200 yards wide.
Beginning on a peninsula of Lake Murray near Caro Lane, the tornado made landfall at 8:43 p.m. and dissipated by 8:49 p.m., lasting around six minutes. While the tornado significantly impacted the local environment by causing extensive tree damage, there were no injuries or structural damage reported to homes.
Affected areas included Lake Side Drive, Carol Lane, Lake Tide Drive, and Old Lexington Highway. The tornado’s path crossed several major roads, including Amicks Ferry Road and Highway 76. Local residents witnessed strong winds and notable thunder preceding the tornado warning issued by NWS as the storms moved through the area.
Damage was primarily to trees, with reports confirming that numerous hardwood trees were snapped along the tornado’s trajectory. Efforts to mitigate the aftermath of the tornado involved crews from the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) clearing downed trees and debris from the roads that were blocked. Meanwhile, minor cleanup operations were undertaken by the Chapin public works department, with no major damage reported to the town’s water system.
During the storm’s peak, approximately 3,000 power outages were reported in Lexington County. The tornado was part of a larger severe weather system impacting the Midlands region. As the tornado moved northeast after crossing Lake Murray, it returned over water multiple times before lifting near Old Lauren Lane.
NWS officials are currently conducting a final review to assess the overall damage caused by the tornado. However, there currently is no timeline available for the completion of this assessment. Despite the occurrence of the tornado, the community of Chapin remains resilient, showing no signs of major disruption to daily life.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
EF1 Tornado Strikes Lexington County, South Carolina
EF1 Tornado Strikes Chapin, South Carolina
Significant Damage from EF-1 Tornado in Chapin, SC
Confirmed EF-1 Tornado Causes Damage Along Lake Murray
Chapin Tornado Causes Significant Damage to Local Areas
Chapin, SC Prepares for Cleanup After EF-1 Tornado
Chapin, SC Struck by EF-1 Tornado: A Night to Remember
Chapin Residents Face Damage After EF-1 Tornado Hits Town
Thornville Opens New Tornado Shelter for Residents
Severe Weather Causes Widespread Power Outages in South Carolina
Additional Resources
- WACH: Tornado Confirmed in Chapin
- Wikipedia: Tornado
- WIS TV: NWS EF-1 Tornado Confirmed Near Chapin
- Google Search: Chapin SC Tornado
- SWLexLedger: Tornado Touchdown Near Chapin
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tornado
- WLTX: Tornado Confirmed in Chapin, SC
- Google News: Chapin SC Tornado News
- Post and Courier: Lake Murray Chapin Tornado
