The Hampton County tornado: 1 year later

Apr. 13—About 1,200 tornadoes touch down each year in the United States, but for Hampton County, SC, there will never be a storm like the one that struck on April 13, 2020.

Tuesday marked a year since the devastating EF4 tornado swept through portions of Hampton County. This was an uncommon storm in an area not known for terrible, killer tornadoes.

The monster twister reached maximum wind speeds of over 170 miles per hour, claiming five lives in our county alone and leaving at least 60 people injured. At the time, the Hampton County Assessor's Office estimated the residential damages at more than $2,191,000 — and this did not include commercial and government damages.

The National Weather Service in Charleston said that it was the largest storm to strike the Lowcountry in decades — and the largest ever reported in Hampton County.

In an effort that would become known as #HamptonCountyStrong, local officials, organizations, churches, and private citizens came together to help neighbors in need. From using chainsaws and trucks to remove trees from homes and highways in the hours after the storm, to donating items and raising money in the weeks after, Hampton County showed what makes small towns special during disasters and great times of need.

State and local officials have had a year to study and document this savage storm system. According to Hampton County Emergency Management Division Director Susanne Peeples, the monster storm was 24 miles long and a half mile wide, and at times there were two tornadoes together.

"There were five people that lost their lives — three in one family and two in another. They will never be forgotten," said Peeples. "The communities still pull together to heal. There were more than 226 homes with either major damage, minor damage and /r were totally destroyed. One man remains paralyzed after the tornado. The families in the direct line of destruction will never forget the roaring sounds of April 13."

"Even today, when a storm is approaching the entire county gasps for their breath in fear of another devastation," she added. "God has truly blessed all of us over the past year. He taught us how to love each other, pray for each other and come together as a whole."

Peeples added that FEMA has helped all eligible applicants and they are still working to assist homeowners. The Long Term Recovery Group, along with the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, made numerous donations to help assist people that qualified for assistance.

Peeples also takes this time to remind area residents of what to do before, during and after a tornado to keep you and your family as safe as possible.

Preparing for a Tornado — Designate a shelter area in your home. Basements or storm cellars are the safest. Otherwise, use an interior room or hallway on the ground floor.

-Practice getting to your home shelter area.

-If you live in a mobile home, find a sturdy building nearby where you can take shelter. Mobile homes offer little protection in a tornado.

-Contact your local emergency management agency to find out if there are any public safe rooms or shelters nearby.

-Know the locations of designated shelter areas in places such as schools and shopping centers.

During a Tornado Watch

-Stay tuned to radio or TV for updates.

-Be prepared to take shelter at any time, since some tornadoes develop so quickly that advance warning is impossible.

-Watch the sky for funnel-shaped clouds and pay attention to tornado danger signs — dark, greenish sky, large hail and a loud roar similar to a freight train.

-Stay out of large, flat buildings with wide-open areas such as supermarkets or shopping malls.

-Stock your home shelter area with a flashlight, a battery-powered radio, extra batteries, water and a first-aid kit.

During a Tornado Warning

-Head for the designated shelter or a central area on the lowest floor of a nearby building.

-In a high-rise, get to the lowest floor possible and go to an interior room.

-Leave vehicles and mobile homes at once. Seek shelter in a sturdy building.

-If you are caught outside, lie flat in a ditch and cover your head. Do not get under bridges or overpasses.

-Never attempt to outrun a tornado.

After a Tornado

-Watch out for debris — especially broken glass — and downed electrical lines.

-Be careful when entering a tornado-damaged structure. Make sure the walls and roof are in place and the foundation is sound.

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