A strong line of thunderstorms developed in the afternoon hours well ahead of a cold front to the west. Large scale forcing was strong and the near storm environment was supportive of severe thunderstorms, with some embedded supercell thunderstorms. Damaging wind gusts occurred as well as a few tornadoes across southeast South Carolina.

Thunderstorm Wind in COLLETON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 04-MAY-17 17:19:00 to 04-MAY-17 17:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: H AND B JCT
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A tree was reported down blocking the road at the intersection of Dry Branch Road and Junction Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in DORCHESTER, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 04-MAY-17 19:52:00 to 04-MAY-17 19:53:00 (EST-5)
Location: GIANT
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

South Carolina Highway Patrol reported a tree down near mile marker 175 along Interstate 26 westbound.

Thunderstorm Wind in JASPER, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 04-MAY-17 23:17:00 to 04-MAY-17 23:18:00 (EST-5)
Location: LEVY
Magnitude: 40.00 EG
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

South Carolina Highway Patrol reported a tree down and in the roadway on South Okatie Highway, near the intersection with Delta Estates Road.

Tornado in COLLETON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 04-MAY-17 18:46:00 to 04-MAY-17 19:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: HENDERSONVILLE
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service storm survey team confirmed a EF1 tornado in Colleton County. The tornado initially touched down approximately half of a mile southwest of the Hendersonville rest area off of Interstate 95, with a north-northeast intermittent path. Along the path, the tornado crossed State Road S-15-28, snapping several trees. The tornado then continued north-northeast where it caused damage to a house and barn just north of Black Creek Road. Several snapped and uprooted trees along with a few down power poles also occurred at this location. The tornado then continued north-northeast crossing Magellan Road, where approximately 100 trees were snapped. The tornado then continued north-northeast where it produced tree and home damage along Cane Branch Road. At this point, the tornado path became continuous from the damage along Cane Branch Road until the tornado dissipated along Interstate 95. Damage to a house on Cane Branch road included a 6,500 pound boat and trailer being displaced about 30 yards from their original position, a golf cart being lifted up and moved about 20 yards, two large branches being driven through the side of the house, several windows being broken out, and significant damage to metal rooting material. In addition, the house was shifted a bit on its foundation. Numerous trees were snapped near the property of this home. The tornado then continued north-northeast toward Sniders Highway, where it produced minor roof and siding damage to a mobile home, tossed a trampoline into a tree line about 20 feet off the ground, snapped a few trees and severe damaged an old barn. The tornado then crossed Highway 63, snapping 2 power poles and causing minor roof and siding damage to a 2 story home. The tornado continued north crossing Donald Duck Point, where a mobile home was seen leaning on cinder blocks along with skirting destroyed. Two adjacent mobile homes also received minor skirt damage. The tornado then continued north, gaining strength and width while approaching Walterboro. The maximum tornado strength and width was surveyed about one fourth of a mile west of a large shopping complex along Highway 64, where approximately 1,000 trees were either snapped uprooted and severely damaged. The tornado then continued on a north-northeast track damaging dozens of trees while crossing Mount Carmel Road, before lifting approximately 2 miles of exit 57 on Interstate 95 off of Windmere Lane where damage to trees, power lines, and a large billboard occurred.

Tornado in COLLETON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 04-MAY-17 19:26:00 to 04-MAY-17 19:27:00 (EST-5)
Location: CANADYS
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service storm survey team confirmed an EF1 tornado that touched down in Colleton County near Canadys and continued into Dorchester County where it eventually dissipated. The tornado touched down just north of Highway 61 and west of Sandy Landing Lane where it snapped off, uprooted, and damaged trees. The tornado then moved to the north-northeast and crossed the Edisto River into Dorchester County.

Tornado in COLLETON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 04-MAY-17 19:15:00 to 04-MAY-17 19:25:00 (EST-5)
Location: STOKES
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service storm survey team confirmed an EF1 tornado near Walterboro in Colleton County. The tornado touched down just west of McLeod Road, damaging the roofing and siding of a home. The tornado then traveled north-northeast producing intermittent damage along the path. The tornado produced extensive tree damage along Allen Creek just to the west of Highway 15 where approximately 100 trees were snapped off, uprooted, or severely damaged. The tornado produced fence damage along Highway 15 just north of Allen Creek and thereafter produced intermittent tree damage along the path. The tornado crossed a corn field about 2 miles east of Canadys where a convergent wind pattern was clearly evident. The tornado snapped off, uprooted, or damaged numerous trees in this area before dissipating just south of the Edisto River.

Tornado in DORCHESTER, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 04-MAY-17 19:27:00 to 04-MAY-17 19:28:00 (EST-5)
Location: GROVER
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A National Weather Service storm survey team confirmed that an EF1 tornado that touched down near Canadys in Colleton County crossed the Edisto River and continued into Dorchester County. The tornado snapped off, uprooted and damaged trees on the Dorchester County side of the Edisto River before dissipating near Utsey Hill Road.