Lexington County, August 19, 2025
News Summary
Lexington County marks the 30th anniversary of the August 1994 tornado outbreak that confirmed five tornadoes in the area, causing $50 million in property damage. Fortunately, there were no fatalities among the 40 injuries reported. Commendable community resilience highlights the commemoration, along with upcoming infrastructure improvements including a month-long closure of Calks Ferry Road for repairs.
Lexington County is observing the 30th anniversary of a devastating tornado outbreak that struck on August 16, 1994, which left a significant mark on the community. During this event, a total of 23 tornadoes were confirmed across South Carolina, with 5 tornadoes touching down specifically in Lexington County.
The tornadoes followed the path of Tropical Storm Beryl, which made landfall near Panama City, Florida the day prior. As Beryl moved northwards through Georgia, it passed near the Upstate of South Carolina, placing the Midlands region on the eastern side of the storm’s circulation and consequently elevating the risk of tornado activity.
The most powerful of the tornadoes, rated F-3, produced winds between 158-206 mph and caused significant destruction, with estimated property damage around $50 million. Damage assessments from that day reflect devastation affecting hundreds of homes, businesses, churches, and public buildings, notably near the Secret Cove area along Lake Murray.
Although there were 40 injuries reported, the fortunate outcome was that there were no fatalities from the tornado outbreak. The tornado first touched down approximately three miles south/southeast of Lexington near S.C. 6 and Interstate 20, tracking mostly on the ground for about eight miles before dissipating over Lake Murray.
Calks Ferry Road Closure
In addition to the commemoration, Lexington County is preparing for infrastructure improvements with a portion of Calks Ferry Road expected to close for repairs for one month starting on September 8, 2025. The closure will affect the bridge over Interstate 20, with the repairs anticipated to last until October. During this time, drivers can utilize a detour route through Sherwood, Longs Pond, and Two Notch roads. The average daily traffic on Calks Ferry Road last year was approximately 3,900 cars.
This closure follows a temporary overnight shutdown in May due to structural issues identified in an inspection.
Lexington County Sheriff’s Office Promotions and Transfers
The Lexington County Sheriff’s Office recently announced a series of promotions and transfers within its ranks. Notable changes include:
- Jose Becerra promoted to Senior Detention Deputy – Transport
- Kevin Blackmon transferred to Captain in Judicial Services
- Trevor Campbell promoted to Master Detention Deputy
- Ryan Cubbage promoted to School Resource Officer
- Patton Gossett promoted to Master Detention Deputy
- Eric Grenis promoted to School Resource Officer
- Robby Lint promoted to Captain in North Region
- Frank McFalls transferred to Resident Deputy in Hollow Creek
- McKenzie Saunders promoted to K-9 Handler
- Brittany Sawyer promoted to Senior Detention Deputy – Transport
- Taylor Sebben promoted to K-9 Handler
- Mike Smith promoted to Sergeant in K-9
This reshuffling indicates continued growth and realignment within the Sheriff’s department as it seeks to enhance community safety and service.
As Lexington County reflects on the past, safety and community resilience continue to be at the forefront of discussions related to natural disasters and the ongoing efforts to serve the public effectively.
FAQs
What caused the tornado outbreak in August 1994?
The tornado outbreak was associated with Tropical Storm Beryl, which made landfall near Panama City, Florida, and created severe weather conditions including tornado risks across the Midlands region of South Carolina.
How many tornadoes touched down in Lexington County during the outbreak?
A total of 5 tornadoes were confirmed to have touched down in Lexington County during the August 1994 outbreak.
What was the extent of the damages caused by the tornadoes?
The strongest tornado, rated F-3, caused approximately $50 million in damages, impacting hundreds of homes, businesses, churches, and public buildings.
What are the implications of the Calks Ferry Road closure?
Calks Ferry Road will close for repairs beginning on September 8, 2025, for approximately one month. Detours will be set up to manage the average daily traffic of about 3,900 cars.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Tornado Outbreak | August 16, 1994 |
| Tornadoes in South Carolina | 23 |
| Tornadoes in Lexington County | 5 |
| Strongest Tornado Rating | F-3 |
| Wind Speed | 158-206 mph |
| Estimated Damage | $50 million |
| Injuries Reported | 40 |
| Closure of Calks Ferry Road | September 8, 2025, for one month |
| Average Daily Traffic on Calks Ferry Road | Approximately 3,900 cars |
| Recent Sheriff’s Office Promotions | Multiple promotions across key roles in law enforcement |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Severe Weather Causes Widespread Power Outages in South Carolina
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Severe Weather Alert: Flash Floods and Thunderstorms in Columbia, SC
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Additional Resources
- WIS TV: 31 Years Since F-3 Tornado in Lexington
- Wikipedia: Tornado
- The State: Local News on Lexington
- Google Search: Lexington SC Tornado Outbreak 1994
- Fox 56 News: Lexington Sporting Club
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tornado
- Spectrum Local News: Chapin-Lexington County Tornado
- Google News: Lexington SC Latest News
- Lexington County Sheriff’s Department: Promotions and Transfers
- Google Scholar: Lexington SC Tornado
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
