EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) – The National Weather Service has confirmed a tornado caused damage in Effingham County early Thursday morning.
According to the NWS survey team the tornado was EF-1 with an estimated maximum wind speed of 100mph. The maximum path width was 150 yards and the path length was 2.65 miles.
The team conducted a ground and aerial survey and determined the tornado began near the intersection of Low Ground Road and Burnt Tree Drive. The tornado continued north-northeast across a wooded and marshy region where it snapped and uprooted several trees. As it crossed Little McCall Road, it snapped and and uprooted several large trees over the properties of six homes along the road, none of which sustained significant structural damage.
The tornado then moved into the Cypress Cove neighborhood, where it removed siding and some roof shingles to approximately 18 homes. The tornado reached it maximum intensity, with winds around 100 mph, as it cross Little McCall Road and into the southern portion of Cypress Cove. The tornado quickly dissipated as it cross the northern part of the neighborhood, ending near Ralph Rahn Road.
Many Effingham County residents spent Thursday cleaning up from the overnight storm.
The county emergency agency said there was wind-related damage to homes, as well as downed trees.
by WTOC Staff and Jamie Ertle (2020, Sept 18)
