The National Weather Service has confirmed an EF2 tornado hit the Town of Bamberg on Tuesday afternoon with winds as high as 125 mph.
The storm was estimated to be 300 to 400 yards wide.
In addition to destroying several buildings downtown, the storm also knocked down 80 trees, with 13 roads closed by the storm.
“Just say a prayer for us,” Bamberg Mayor Nancy Foster said.
Main Highway through downtown is closed following the storm. The S.C. Department of transportation is asking drivers to stay away from the damage.
Bamberg County Administrator Joey Preston noted inspectors need to ensure the integrity of buildings and insurance adjusters need to do their work before the road can open.
“People have got to have patience,” he said.
People are also reading…
Damage assessments are underway and people’s homes are being visited to ensure their needs are met, he said.
“Please pray for us,” Preston said.
The storm left about 600 Bamberg Board of Public Works customers without power. About 100 were without power on Wednesday afternoon.
The city hopes only 50 will be without power this evening.
No one was injured.
Contact the writer: gzaleski@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5551. Check out Zaleski on Twitter at @ZaleskiTD.
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