A surface warm front lifted northward across the area just a few hours prior to the onset of a severe weather outbreak while a cold front approached from the northwest.  A meso-low developed across northeast Georgia and enhanced the shear through the low-levels of the atmosphere.  The arrival of a potent shortwave and associated strong dynamics by late afternoon were able to overcome limited instability and the stabilizing influences of the chilly Atlantic Ocean, allowing for a long-lived severe weather outbreak.  National Weather Service Storm Damage Teams confirmed eight tornadoes, up to an EF1 on the Enhanced F-scale.  The teams also observed evidence of strong microbursts and rear-flank downdraft damage.  Large hail, up to golf ball size, and straight-line wind damage, up to 95 mph, also occurred.  The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center upgraded the area from a moderate risk for severe weather to a PDS high risk early in the afternoon.

Thunderstorm Wind in GEORGETOWN, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 19:00:00 to 15-MAR-08 19:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: CHICORAWOOD PLANTATI
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Reported by: County Official

A few trees were down near the intersection of Plantersville Road and Jackson Village Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in WILLIAMSBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 18:23:00 to 15-MAR-08 18:32:00 (EST-5)
Location: LANE
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service Storm Survey obsevered sporadic areas of straight-line wind damage.  Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted from near Lane to near Trio.

Hail in DILLON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 16:40:00 to 15-MAR-08 16:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: DILLON
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Hail up to the size of golf balls reported by law enforcement through the 911 Center.

Tornado in WILLIAMSBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 18:17:00 to 15-MAR-08 18:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: EDWARDS
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service Storm Survey concluded an EF1 tornado with winds to 105 mph first touched down just north of Santee River Road and moved east crossing State Route 375.  The tornado lifted just west of U.S. 52.  Numerous large hardwood trees were uprooted or snapped.  The maximum path width was 75 yards.  The path length was about 2 1/2 miles.

Hail in MARLBORO, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 16:22:00 to 15-MAR-08 16:22:00 (EST-5)
Location: BROWNSVILLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Scattered reports of dime to quarter size hail.

Thunderstorm Wind in DILLON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 16:40:00 to 15-MAR-08 16:42:00 (EST-5)
Location: DILLON
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Law enforcement reported numerous trees down in and near Dillon. Some trees were down on houses and across powerlines.  Some of the trees were blocking roadways.

Thunderstorm Wind in FLORENCE, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 17:25:00 to 15-MAR-08 17:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: CARTERSVILLE
Magnitude: 74.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service Storm Survey observed straight-line wind damage south of the tornado track.  Trees were uprooted or snapped.

Hail in MARLBORO, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 16:20:00 to 15-MAR-08 16:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: BLENHEIM
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Scattered reports of dime to quarter size hail.

Tornado in WILLIAMSBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 18:36:00 to 15-MAR-08 18:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: TRIO
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 200.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service Storm Survey concluded an EF1 tornado with winds to 100 mph developed just west of Steadfast Road where most of the damage occurred.  The tornado dissipated just east of Jumpin Run Road.  Thirty five homes were damaged, 7 suffered major damage and 5 were completely destroyed.  The maximum path width was 75 yards.  The path length was about 4 miles.  Williamsburg County officials estimated the damage at $200,000 dollars.

Tornado in FLORENCE, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 17:25:00 to 15-MAR-08 17:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: CARTERSVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 605.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service Storm Survey concluded a tornado developed near Crawfish Pond Road and Cartersville Highway, just to the southeast of Cartersville.  The tornado moved east across Chaney Grove Road, near Rose Lane where it strengthened from an EF0 to an EF1 with winds estimated to 100 mph.  The tornado weakened to EF0 as it crossed Thunder Road.  The tornado reached EF1 again near Cale Yarborough Highway and Interstate 95.  The tornado crossed Interstate 95 with EF0 damage noted near South Hill Road.  The tornado peaked at 105 mph along W John Paul Jones Road, between Center Road and Langston Road.  The tornado finally dissipated near Mccain Circle and Olanta Highway, just west of Effingham.  Seventy six homes sustained minor damage.  Damage to 4 homes was classifed as major and one home was completely destroyed.  Eight mobile homes sustained minor damage.  Damage to 5 mobile homes was classified as major and 9 mobile homes were completely destroyed.  There were 2 businesses that sustained major damage.  There were 13 barns and sheds completely destroyed, 3 others sustained major damage.  There were 3 minor injuries, including a 3 year old boy who had to be extricated from a structure.  Three horses and 3 cows were killed.  The maximum path width was 100 yards.  The path length was about 13 1/2 miles.  Florence County officials estimated the damage at $605,000 dollars.

Hail in WILLIAMSBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 18:17:00 to 15-MAR-08 18:17:00 (EST-5)
Location: HEINEMAN
Magnitude: 1.75 
Reported by: NWS Employee

A National Weather Service employee reported hail up to golf ball size.  WFO Charleston South Carolina relayed the report.

Thunderstorm Wind in DILLON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 16:46:00 to 15-MAR-08 16:48:00 (EST-5)
Location: LATTA
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

The fire department reported numerous trees down in and near Latta.  A National Weather Service Storm Survey concluded that downed trees south and west of the tornado track were mainly the result of straight-line winds.

Hail in HORRY, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 18:30:00 to 15-MAR-08 18:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: MAPLE XRDS
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported hail up to the size of pennies in Shell, near the intersection of Highway 22 and State Route 905.

Hail in WILLIAMSBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 18:21:00 to 15-MAR-08 18:21:00 (EST-5)
Location: GREELEYVILLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Emergency Manager reported one-inch hail.

Thunderstorm Wind in DILLON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 16:35:00 to 15-MAR-08 16:37:00 (EST-5)
Location: OAK GROVE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

The fire department reported numerous trees down in and near Oak Grove.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARION, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 18:00:00 to 15-MAR-08 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: GRESHAM
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Five pine trees blown down across State Route 41.  Report received via amateur radio network.

Tornado in GEORGETOWN, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 18:54:00 to 15-MAR-08 18:55:00 (EST-5)
Location: OATLAND
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Emergency Manager surveyed damage and concluded a tornado briefly touched down.  Eight trees were blown down.  Significant damage occurred to a house when one of these trees fell onto the structure.  The porch was damaged and the foundation of the house was shifted.  The maximum path width and path length was 20 yards.  The tornado was rated EF0.

Tornado in HORRY, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 18:13:00 to 15-MAR-08 18:14:00 (EST-5)
Location: AYNOR
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 5.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service Storm Survey concluded a brief tornado touchdown beginning near the intersection of Jordanville Road and U.S. 501 in Aynor.  The tornado traveled for about one-quarter mile, then lifted and dissipated near the intersection of Pine Street and 11th Avenue.  Damage was confined to a mobile home.  A carport was completely destroyed resulting in subsequent damage to powerlines and trees.  The tornado was classified as an EF0 with winds estimated around 80 mph.  The tornado had a maximum path width of 25 yards.  The path length was 0.27 miles.  Horry County officials estimated about $5,000 dollars worth of damage.

Hail in DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 15:53:00 to 15-MAR-08 15:53:00 (EST-5)
Location: HARTSVILLE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Emergency Manager reported hail up to the size of nickels.

Hail in DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 15:55:00 to 15-MAR-08 15:55:00 (EST-5)
Location: CLYDE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported one-inch hail.

Hail in DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 15:58:00 to 15-MAR-08 16:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: HARTSVILLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: COOP Observer

A cooperative observer reported one-inch hail covered the ground.

Tornado in DILLON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 16:48:00 to 15-MAR-08 16:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: LATTA
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service Storm Survey concluded an EF0 tornado with maximum winds of 75 mph developed near the intersection of U.S. Highway 301 and 501 around 548 pm EDT.  The tornado moved east, passing just south of downtown Latta before lifting near Johnson Road around 550 pm EDT.  The most extreme damage observed occurred near Willis Street where a large tree fell on a home.  Numerous other trees were also down or damaged.  Six homes sustained minor damage.  Damage to one trailer was classifed as major.  The maximum damage width was 75 yards.  The path length was 1.36 miles.  Dillon County officials estimated the damage totaled $50,000 dollars.

Hail in FLORENCE, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 17:00:00 to 15-MAR-08 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: LAKE CITY
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: COOP Observer

A cooperative observer reported hail up to the size of quarters.  Dead trees were also blown down.

Hail in DILLON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 17:00:00 to 15-MAR-08 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: FLOYDALE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Reported by: COOP Observer

A cooperative observer reported hail up to the size of quarters.

Thunderstorm Wind in HORRY, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 18:45:00 to 15-MAR-08 18:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: WAMPEE
Magnitude: 73.00 MG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A skywarn spotter measured a wind gust to 84 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARION, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 17:15:00 to 15-MAR-08 17:16:00 (EST-5)
Location: ZION
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Public

Several trees down near the intersection of Methodist Church Road and Dew Road.  The largest trees were up to eight inches in diameter.

Thunderstorm Wind in DILLON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 17:00:00 to 15-MAR-08 17:02:00 (EST-5)
Location: KEMPER
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Numerous large trees were down.  Some of the trees were snapped while others were uprooted.  A National Weather Service Storm Survey concluded the damage was the result of straight-line winds.

Thunderstorm Wind in MARION, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 17:50:00 to 15-MAR-08 17:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: UPPER DOG BLUFF
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter observed a 20 inch oak tree that was twisted and snapped at 16 feet above the ground.  This large tree was located at the intersection of State Route 41 and 908 between Brittons Neck and Centenary.

Thunderstorm Wind in HORRY, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 15-MAR-08 18:13:00 to 15-MAR-08 18:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: AYNOR
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service Storm Survey observed straight-line wind damage east of where the tornado lifted and dissipated.  The damage was spotty from the intersection of Pine Street and 11th Avenue to the intersection of Elm Street and Secondary State Route 129.  A barn roof was torn off and several trees were uprooted.  Winds were estimated around 80 mph.