Tornado and Hailstorm Rattle Rock Hill, South Carolina Leaving Homes Damaged
A surprise tornado touchdown threw the town of Rock Hill, South Carolina into a state of shock with its sudden and unexpected damage this past Saturday. Although less impacted than its neighbouring Northern state by severe thunderstorms and rain showers, the weather in the southern city still took a harsh turn, becoming partially cloudy with a strong likelihood of additional storm activity.
After the storm had passed residents were left questioning if the damage was a result of a tornado or a severe hailstorm. The National Weather Service failed to release any tornado warnings for the area of Rock Hill. Even local storm chasers were unable to document the disabling tornado that reportedly blew through the city shortly after 7 pm local time. Nonetheless, numerous residents took to social media to share that they had not experienced a tornado of such destruction before.
Platforms such as Facebook and Twitter quickly filled up with videos and photos showcasing the devastation inflicted on homes within mere minutes of the tornado’s passage.
Austin A.H. Jefferson, a local business owner of A & J Catering Services, posted on Facebook, “I promise y’all that I can’t make this up! Literally ran home to grab supplies for a wedding that I’m currently catering and ALL HAIL broke loose…literally!! I’ve never experienced a tornado. I had to hide in a room downstairs in my house.” On top of severe damage to their homes, many also reported significant damage to vehicles and neighbouring houses.
Many users were keen to share the unfortunate fate of their homes. One user posted: “So… while we were out running errands today, a tornado came through our neighbourhood. Dalton, Tank, Leo, and myself are fine, but our home… our home that we closed on six months ago to the day, is in shambles.”
Another concerned resident, Martial Arts Instructor Delmar Minor, wrote on Facebook “I promise a tornado touched down in Rock Hill. Some people are trapped in their neighbourhoods or have no power at this time. Pray for those affected by this tragedy.”
Despite the numerous videos, photos and testimony from the residents of Rock Hill, it remained uncertain if the damage was caused by a tornado passing through the city or a powerful hailstorm. The official confirmation and further details on the incident from the local authorities are currently pending.