At least nine people in South Carolina are dead after a powerful storm system with several tornadoes ripped through the region Monday morning, according to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division.
The Hampton County Guardian is reporting that five people have died after likely tornadoes tore through the area Monday morning.
“Emergency crews still can’t get to many people,” editor Michael Dewitt of the Guardian said on Facebook Monday morning.
“Responders are trying to get out to help but the roads are full of trees and power lines,” Hampton County Emergency Management officials said on Facebook around 7 a.m. Monday.
Hampton County Sheriff T.C. Smalls reported power lines and trees down on roads across the county.
“We have citizens throughout the county who have experienced devastating damages from the storms earlier,” Smalls said on Facebook. “Please stay off of the roads if possible.
Of those dead in Hampton County, at least three were in Nixville — a small town that was hit hard by a possible tornado, the National Weather Service reported.
“Tornados have been confirmed in Aiken, Greenville, and Oconee counties, but additional tornados will likely be confirmed as damage assessments continue,” SCEMD said in a legislative update Monday Morning.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is sending assets to Hampton County to help with emergency response, officials told FITSNews Monday morning.
The Red Cross is also working to provide assistance in Hampton County, officials said.
Hampton County officials said anyone wishing to provide food to first responders can deliver items to the Hampton County Recreation Departmen at 361 Pine Street in Varnville, SC.
Emily Wakeman of WIS 10 reports that two people died and two were injured in the storms in Orangeburg County South Carolina, South Carolina.
In the upstate, one person in Oconee County was killed in the storm and several others injured, WSPA reported.
Fox Carolina reported that a contractor died after a tornado hit the BorgWarner facility in Seneca, South Carolina early Monday.
At least 20 people were killed in storms across the south overnight, according to the Associated Press.
This story will be updated.
***
WANNA SOUND OFF?
Got something you’d like to say in response to one of our articles? Or an issue you’d like to proactively address? We have an open microphone policy here at FITSNews! Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. Got a tip for a story? CLICK HERE. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? CLICK HERE.
cover photo credit: Doug Knoll