Could Horry County soon face more tornado warnings like this morning? What to know
The tornado warning this morning in Horry County might have you wondering if locals should expect more warnings throughout the season.
The National Weather Service says that tornado season is from April through June, so for a tornado to occur these days is not very likely.
Home Facts reports that Horry County is at moderate risk for tornadoes, with yearly averages of one tornado and zero deaths. The site also reports that there have only been 63 tornadoes in the area since 1950.
Twisters, another term for tornadoes, can occur when warm moist air meets cooler air, according to the National Weather Service. Therefore, tornadoes will be likely if there are significant temperature differences meeting one another as the seasons change.
The last bad tornado to hit the area was in 2001
The National Weather Service reports that the last bad tornado to impact Horry County was in 2001. It was on July 6 and there were actually two tornadoes that touched the ground in Horry County that day — one in North Myrtle Beach and one in Myrtle Beach.
“The magnitude of the damage suggests F2 strength for the tornado, which corresponds to peak wind speeds of 113 to 157 mph. Many automobiles and multi-story motels had their windows blown out. Several structures had damage to their roofs and stucco walls, and one wooden structure had its roof completely removed. Power lines were down and some large billboards were damaged. The power of the wind was very evident when several vehicles were actually flipped over by the tornadoes, including two tourist trolleys. The most concentrated damage occurred in the vicinity of the Myrtle Beach pavilion, although more spotty damage occurred for miles north along the coastline,” the site read.
How tornado rankings work
Tornadoes are measured on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. According to the National Weather Service, “The F Scale was developed based on damage intensity and not wind speed; wind speed ranges given are estimated, based on the extent of observed damage.”
Below is a table made by the National Weather Service explaining the different intensities on the Enhanced Fujita Scale:
Zero (F0) | Weak | 40-72 mph | Light Damage. Some damage to chimneys; branches broken off trees, shallow-rooted trees uprooted, sign boards damaged. |
One (F1) | Weak | 73-112 mph | Moderate damage. Roof surfaces peeled off; mobile homes pushed foundations or overturned; moving autos pushed off road. |
Two (F2) | Strong | 113-157 mph | Considerable damage. Roofs torn from frame houses; mobile homes demolished; boxcars pushed over; large trees snapped or uprooted; light objects become projectiles. |
Three (F3) | Strong | 158-206 mph | Severe damage. Roofs and some walls torn from well- constructed houses; trains overturned; most trees in forested area uprooted; heavy cars lifted and thrown. |
Four (F4) | Violent | 207-260 mph | Devastating damage. Well- constructed houses leveled; structures with weak foundation blown some distance; cars thrown; large missiles generated. |
Five (F5) | Violent | 260-318 mph | Incredible damage. Strong frame houses lifted off foundations, carried considerable distances, and disintegrated; auto-sized missiles airborne for several hundred feet or more; trees debarked. |
Tornado watch vs. tornado warning
The National Weather Service says that one must “be prepared” when a tornado watch is issued and that one should “take action” when a tornado warning is issued, because that means an actual tornado has been spotted or indicated by a radar.
How to prepare for a tornado
The CDC advises that, when tornadoes are possible or spotted, one should go to a basement or a room on the lower levels of a building with no windows. For added protection, the CDC also says that it is a good idea to get under a sturdy table or cover oneself with a mattress or blanket.
