Weather blog: A recap of March 16 severe storms in CSRA

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -A line of showers and thunderstorms moved through the CSRA early Sunday morning, March 16th. We had several severe thunderstorm warnings and a few tornado warnings as a result.

On Monday, March 17th the National Weather Service in Columbia, South Carolina went out to survey damage to determine if reported damage was in fact from a tornado and gauge the EF scale rating. They determined 3 tornadoes touched down in the CSRA.

Girard, Ga EF-0 (Burke County)

A tornado was reported to have touched down at 7:00 am lasting until 7:04 am. The EF-0 tornado had peak winds of 80 mph. The tornado moved a little over 4 miles starting at Stoney Bluff Road and ending in a wooded area northeast of the starting point. Damage was described as snapped pine trees, no structures were reported damaged.

Here is the breakdown report from NWS

Rating: EF0 Estimated Peak Wind: 80 mph

Path Length /statute/: 4.35 miles

Path Width /maximum/: 75 yards

No injuries were reported.

Girard, Ga EF-0 (Burke County)

Another tornado was reported in the City of Girard Sunday at 7:01 am lasting until 7:04 am with peak winds at 80 mph, categorizing it as an EF-0. The total length of the tornado’s path was a little over 3 miles. The tornado started along Royal Road causing tree damage before moving further down the road causing shingle damage to a house. No injuries were reported.

Here is the breakdown report from NWS

Rating: EF0 Estimated

Peak Wind: 80 mph

Path Length /statute/: 3.08 miles

Path Width /maximum/: 100 yards

Barnwell, SC EF-0 (Barnwell County)

A short-lived EF-0 was reported to have touched down at 7:27 am March 16th before dissipating at 7:29 am. The tornado started at Sweetwater Country Club and ended around Dunbarton Boulevard, causing pine trees to be uprooted and tree limbs snapped. The total length of the tornado was less than half a mile with peak winds at 80 mph.

Here is the breakdown report from NWS

Rating: EF0 Estimated

Peak Wind: 80 mph

Path Length /statute/: 0.30 miles

Path Width /maximum/: 50 yards