Teams assessing storm damage in Darlington

Three people were injured by storms in the Pee Dee Area that struck shortly after 7 pm Sunday.  Numerous reports came in of tornado touchdowns throughout Darlington County uprooting trees, knocking down power lines and damaging buildings.  The first survey showed damage to the  Cain Elementary and Mayo High Schools which remained closed on Monday.

Linwood Epps, Public Information Officer for Darlington County says there was a rough estimate of $2.5 million dollars in damages given last night.  “We have assessment teams going out now to survey and see how much damage we think we had, because I’m sure we missed some last night in the dark.”

Epps says that many homes as well as the schools had damage and many trees and power lines were down. The National Guard brought in a helicopter this morning to allow the assessment teams a better look at the reported damages.

Progress Energy reported that at one time some 1,700 homes in the area were without power.  Most of the power had been restored by morning.   Gov. Mark Sanford planned to visit Darlington on Monday.