Pee Dee escapes major wind damage

By Jamie Rogers
Morning News Reporter
Published: January 8, 2009

Pee Dee residents have begun small-scale cleanup efforts after strong winds caused minor damage and power outages Wednesday.

Downed trees and limbs are evidence of the gale force wind gusts felt in Florence County — winds that reportedly reached 59 miles per hour in some places, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

There also were reports of downed power lines, but no structural damage was reported to county officials, said Kristy Hughes, natural hazards coordinator for Florence County.

Residents in Dillon County’s Riverdale community reported a few power outages and downed trees as a result of weather conditions, but no major damage was reported, Dillon County Emergency Preparedness director Robert Abson said.

High winds blew the roof off at least one mobile home in Chesterfield County near McBee, according to WBTW News13 reports.

No damage, however, was reported in neighboring Marlboro County, where winds gusted as high as 51 miles per hour near Bennettsville, according to NOAA data.

Residents were asked to notify the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office of any damage, but as of 4 p.m. Thursday, no damage was reported, Marlboro County Emergency Management Director Roy Allison said.

Emergency preparedness officials in Darlington County also didn’t receive any reports of damage, despite reports of winds clocking in at 47 miles per hour.