You wouldn’t expect a Sunday morning to start like this, but Fairfield County was in for a surprise. The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed that a tornado with winds exceeding 90 miles per hour touched down. The twister made its way through parts of the county, causing quite a ruckus.

Since Thursday, the First Alert weather team has been closely tracking the incoming storms. The morning after, Winnsboro residents found themselves in the midst of a cleanup operation. Power outages and fallen trees were common sights for many that morning.

“I knew something was off when I heard it, ” said Ciji Thompson, a Winnsboro resident. “It was like a freight train. ” Her home temporarily lost power, and the scene outside was astonishing.

“From a distance, you could see power lines and trees blocking the roads. Water was everywhere, ” she added. “We’re used to rain and wind, but nothing like this. ”

The NWS is assessing the damage across Fairfield County and other parts of the Midlands. Warning Coordination Meteorologist John Quagliariello confirmed that an EF-1 tornado with peak winds of 95 mph hit Winnsboro.

“We’re still surveying, but there’s significant tree and power line damage, particularly around Chapin and Winnsboro, ” Quagliariello said. “Spring and Summer are our peak seasons for tornadoes in South Carolina. ”

Additional assessments are planned for areas near Lake Murray and Chapin to determine if the tornado extended its path. The sudden storm served as a reminder that Nature can throw us surprises, even on lazy Sunday mornings.

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Storm Aftermath: Tornado Day in Fairfield County

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