Wadmalaw Island was hit by 2 tornadoes in Helene’s outer rainbands, NWS confirms

CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Wadmalaw Island was hit by two lower-end tornadoes that spun up within Hurricane Helene’s outer rain bands last week.

The first was an EF-0 that struck the southern Charleston County community with maximum winds of 80 mph, and the second was slightly stronger, an EF-1 with maximum winds of 90 mph.

Details about the tornadoes and any damage have not yet been provided by the National Weather Service’s survey teams. No injuries or deaths were reported.

The teams have been working to confirm how many tornadoes touched down Thursday night and Friday morning as Helene’s outer bands lashed the area.

John Quagliariello with the National Weather Service said 63 tornado warnings were issued in South Carolina during the storm.

NWS offices in Charleston and Wilmington previously confirmed four tornadoes hit areas within the News 2 viewing area: two in Charleston County, one in Colleton County, and one in Georgetown County.

Additional confirmations are expected as survey teams continue investigating warned areas for tornado activity.