CHAPPELLS — The National Weather Service in Columbia confirmed Monday that an EF1 tornado moved through the Chappells area of Newberry County on Sunday.

An EF1 tornado is categorized as having wind speeds between 86 mph to 110 mphwith moderate damage.

Sheriff Lee Foster said that while this was the smallest type tornado, it was still a very powerful storm. This tornado was a part of Tropical Storm Nate, according to Foster, and he said with this particular tornado there was no tornado watch, it was automatically a tornado warning.

“There were a lot of trees down, uprooted trees and broken trees, and one home on SC 39, just outside of Chappells on the eastern side, suffered significant damage to the roof and completely destroyed the large outbuilding. Fortunately there were no injuries,” he said.

The Chappells Fire and Rescue worked with Newberry County Public Works and SCDOT to clear the roads of any and all debris. Foster added that they did so rather quickly.

“Less than two hours of complete road blockage up there, that is phenomenal considering the number and size of the trees that were down,” he said.

Foster also said that the whole community came together to help out. He said that neighbors and other community members came to help clean up, including members of church groups and a few people from the Mennonite community.

A home in Chappells suffered significant damage due to the tornado.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_22309035_10154820417186176_3196934703816541236_n.jpgA home in Chappells suffered significant damage due to the tornado. Courtesy of Sheriff Lee Foster

An outbuilding was destroyed due to the tornado that moved through Chappells on Sunday.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_22279902_10154820417231176_8104517224356589636_n.jpgAn outbuilding was destroyed due to the tornado that moved through Chappells on Sunday. Courtesy of Sheriff Lee Foster

The high force winds caused trees to fall down, and this trailer to tip over.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_22308732_10154820417311176_1814292637129921607_n.jpgThe high force winds caused trees to fall down, and this trailer to tip over. Courtesy of Sheriff Lee Foster

By Andrew Wigger

awigger@newberryobserver.com