By Coastal Carolina News Staff Writer
Charleston, SC — The National Weather Service in Charleston has confirmed that the waterspout observed offshore of Folly Beach on Saturday briefly moved onshore as a weak tornado, rated EF0 with estimated peak winds of 55 mph.
While the event occurred in South Carolina, it highlights a familiar late‑summer hazard for beachgoers throughout Brunswick County and Horry County, where warm‑season waterspouts are a recurring coastal feature.
Meteorologists report that the waterspout formed from a shower north of the Folly Beach Pier around 2:23 p.m. and tracked slowly toward shore. It came ashore at 2:33 p.m. near the 3rd Street East access point, lasting roughly one minute before dissipating along East Arctic Avenue. No injuries or structural damage were reported, though beach tents, chairs, and lightweight coverings were tossed or displaced as the circulation crossed a crowded stretch of sand.
Waterspouts are common along the Carolina coastline during late summer, especially when tropical moisture, sea‑breeze boundaries, and pop‑up storms interact. Most remain offshore, but as Saturday’s event shows, even a weak EF0 can briefly move inland and create hazards for anyone on the beach.
For residents and visitors in Brunswick and Horry counties, the seasonal reminder is straightforward: this time of year, it pays to keep one eye on the sky. Waterspouts can form quickly, drift unpredictably, and occasionally transition into short‑lived tornadoes capable of lofting beach gear or vegetation.
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