Severe Storms Cause Damage in Dorchester County, One Injured

DORCHESTER COUNTY, S.C. — Stormy weather led to significant damage in Dorchester County on Monday afternoon. Two trees fell onto vehicles on Seven Acres Road at Highway 15 in St. George. The Dorchester County Emergency Management reported that the fallen trees also took down power lines in the area.

One person sustained injuries during the incident, though details about the severity of those injuries remain unclear. Emergency responders quickly arrived on the scene to assess the situation.

This incident follows confirmation of two tornadoes that touched down during severe storms on Friday, May 16, 2025, affecting nearby regions in Maryland and Delaware. The National Weather Service (NWS) identified one tornado rated EF-1 that originated near Rhodesdale in Dorchester County, Maryland, with peak winds ranging from 100 to 110 miles per hour.

The tornado traveled for 11.4 miles before dissipating near Bethel, Delaware. Although it caused significant damage to several trees and properties, no injuries or fatalities were reported. Damage surveys indicated that trees were uprooted or snapped, especially in areas like Galestown.

In Delaware, tree damage was recorded across multiple locations, including Phillips Landing Park and Cherry Walk Woods, as the tornado progressed across the Nanticoke River.

Earlier on the same day, another tornado touched down in Collings Lakes, New Jersey, causing wind speeds of 65 to 75 miles per hour. This tornado was given an EF-0 rating and lasted less than a minute, damaging branches and outbuilding roofs.

As of Saturday morning, multiple regions reported downed trees across roadways, with power outages affecting hundreds of residents. The full extent of damage will be assessed as recovery efforts continue.