Spartanburg, SC F2 Tornado – August 17, 1985

Hurricane Danny came ashore near Pecan Island, LA on August 16, 1985.  It quickly decreased in intensity as it tracked through the southeast. Numerous tornadoes were confirmed from August 15-17.  Per a Monthly Weather Review article, there were 3 tornadoes on the 15th and 40+ on the 16th.  “The actual number of tornadoes may have exceeded 40, although due to the lack of a comprehensive aerial damage survey, an exact figure cannot be given.”  Per the SPC database, there were 7 tornadoes that spanned across GA and the Carolinas on August 17.  This included an F2 that caused extensive damage in Spartanburg County, SC.

Per Storm Data, this tornado moved 9 miles from NW Spartanburg through Valley Falls to near Pacolet River.  9 homes and 38 mobile homes were destroyed.  125 homes and mobile homes, 4 businesses, a tractor-trailer, 2 box cars and many automobiles were damaged.  There were 39 injuries.