A band of rain showers along and ahead of a strong cold front quickly intensified during the afternoon across Upstate South Carolina. Multiple severe and/or tornadic thunderstorms developed within the line, with multiple tornadoes, some of which were quite strong, reported across the area. This was the second tornado outbreak to impact the Upstate in just over two weeks, and for the most part, the same counties that were impacted on October 8th were once again affected on the 23rd. In fact, a Cherokee County tornado from the 23rd passed within several hundred feet of an event that occurred on the 8th.

Thunderstorm Wind in ANDERSON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 23-OCT-17 13:16:00 to 23-OCT-17 13:16:00 (EST-5)
Location: HONEA PATH
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Public reported trees blown down on Will Hanks Rd. Also a report of minor structural damage in this area.

Thunderstorm Wind in SPARTANBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 23-OCT-17 14:29:00 to 23-OCT-17 14:29:00 (EST-5)
Location: CHESNEE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Ham radio operator reported multiple trees blown down in the area around the intersection of Highway 221 and Thompson Rd.

Tornado in SPARTANBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 23-OCT-17 14:12:00 to 23-OCT-17 14:18:00 (EST-5)
Location: UNA
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 1.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Nws survey found that a  second, more intense tornado touched down on the northwest side of Spartanburg, along Business 85 near Spartanburg Community College. The tornado reached its peak intensity almost immediately upon touching down, as a warehouse building near the intersection of Spring St and Simuel Rd suffered extensive damage, with the collapse of an exterior wall, and much of the roof removed. Multiple trailers were damaged or destroyed and several cars flipped in a parking lot at an adjacent business at
Garrett Rd and Spring St. A person who sought shelter in a glass booth under a metal awning structure at this location was hospitalized with burst ear drums due to the extreme change in air pressure. A  warehouse building also lost much of its roofing here. The tornado continued east/northeast, paralleling Business 85, snapping trees along New Cut Rd, and collapsing a wall at another warehouse style building on Buffington Rd. The tornado appeared to weaken considerably from this point, with damage primarily limited to downed trees and limbs until the path ended near the intersection of Business 85 and Highway 9.

Thunderstorm Wind in SPARTANBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 23-OCT-17 14:12:00 to 23-OCT-17 14:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: SAXON
Magnitude: 65.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

NWS storm survey found an extensive area of primarily straight-line wind damage across the Saxon community, between the end of one tornado path that ended in the vicinity of Westgate Mall, and another tornado that began along Business 85 across from Spartanburg Community College. This appeared to be the result of very strong inflow into the developing second tornado, although the dissipating first tornado may have intermingled with the strong inflow winds.

Tornado in CHEROKEE, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 23-OCT-17 14:33:00 to 23-OCT-17 14:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: GRASSY POND
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

NWS Storm survey found the path of an EF1 tornado that began about 1 mile southeast of Chesnee near the Cherokee/Spartanburg county line. Damage associated with this tornado was largely confined to uprooted and snapped trees as it moved northeast, crossing Highway 11, Keg Town Mill Rd, and N Green River Rd before crossing into Rutherford County in North Carolina near Camp Ferry Rd. However, a couple of outbuildings were also damaged.

Tornado in SPARTANBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 23-OCT-17 13:52:00 to 23-OCT-17 14:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: CRESCENT
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

NWS storm survey found the path of a tornado that began near the intersection of Highway 101 and Neilson Rd. The tornado moved north/northeast uprooting and snapping numerous trees along Greenpond Rd and Switzer Green Pond Rd. Some structural damage was also noted to homes in this area, mainly minor roof damage and damage to gutters and siding. The path of the tornado was lost in the area around Pearson Rd and pine Hills Rd, where it entered a heavily wooded valley near the Tyger River, but dual pol radar data indicated the tornado likely continued through this area. The track was picked up again in the area between Bethany Church Rd and Highway 290. Many downed trees were observed from that area northeast toward Reidville Rd, where damage became less intense and more sporadic. The tornado continued northeast to near the I-26/Highway 29 intersection, where the path made an eastward jog. Numerous trees were snapped and uprooted in neighborhood off Highway 29 just east of Westgate Mall. Although a distinct tornado path was lost in this area, extensive Straight-line wind damage continued downstream of the tornado path.

Tornado in CHEROKEE, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 23-OCT-17 14:36:00 to 23-OCT-17 14:41:00 (EST-5)
Location: GRASSY POND
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

NWS storm survey found the path of a strong tornado that touched down near the intersection of Farmington Rd and Meadowview Rd, with damage initially confined to downed trees. The tornado moved north/northeast to the
intersection of Fairview Rd and Highway 11, where two homes sustained EF2 damage, with much of the roofs of both homes removed. The tornado appeared to weaken northeast of this location, with damage confined mainly to minor structural damage and downed trees and power lines until it reached the area near the intersection of Furnace Mill Rd and Robb School Rd. A frame home slid off its foundation on W Diesel Dr, resulting in virtual destruction of the home. The path of the tornado through this area was less than 1000 ft west of a short track tornado that impacted the area around Robb School Rd and Twin Bridge Rd on October 8th 2017. The tornado weakened again from there, with damage confined to downed trees and tree limbs as it moved into Cleveland County between Twin Bridges Rd and McCraw Rd.