Hatcher Garden Experiences Damage From a Tornado

It has been confirmed by the National Weather Service that on the morning of Thursday, February 6, a category EF-1 (moderate) tornado careened through Spartanburg County. The unseasonably warm temperatures and thunderstorms combined the right conditions to create a tornado that traveled about 10 miles damaging several businesses. Hatcher Garden had about five downed trees, mainly around the turtle pond which caused part of the Bartram Trail’s paved path to be ripped up by the roots system of one fallen tree. Cleanup will take about two to three weeks to clear all of the fallen trees. Part of the Mary Black Foundation Woodland Trail has been blocked off until the cleanup is complete. Fortunately, the damage was less than in October of 2017, when about two dozen trees were toppled in the garden by tornadic activity.