March 28, 1984...for those old enough to remember... At 7:10 p.m. a large, violent tornado touched down in Marlboro County and passed through the northern side of Bennettsville. The tornado destroyed the Northwoods Shopping Center in Bennettsville, as well as a large apartment complex among many other buildings and residences before dissipating near Laurinburg in Scotland County. This tornado was on the ground for 17 miles and killed seven people in South Carolina and injured more than 100. Some reports state that the tornado widened to approximately two miles as it crossed the South Carolina/North Carolina state line, which would place it among the largest tornadoes to strike the southeast. The tornado was given an official rating of F-4, meaning its maximum winds were likely between 166 and 200 miles per hour. Shortly after that tornado dissipated, another large, violent F-4 tornado touched down just outside of Bennettsville. This tornado was also estimated to be around one mile wide along its 45 mile path, nearly paralleling the previous tornados path. The tornado devastated the towns of McColl and Tatum east of Bennettsville and eventually the towns of Johns and Maxton after crossing the state line. The tornado then obliterated the town of Red Springs, North Carolina, rendering the town unrecognizable before dissipating near Parkton. Every building in the town of Red Springs that was not destroyed received at least F-1 damage. One person was killed and 280 were injured in this tornado.
Posted on: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 16:22:39 +0000
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