Friday’s violent storm caused damage across the county, including some scary moments at a popular destination and a home in Williams, but no injuries.
Heavy rains collapsed the roof at Whiteville Used Tires on Columbus Street, seriously damaging the business. It was the second time heavy rains have caused a roof collapse there.
Despite concerns of flooding in downtown Whiteville, Emergency Services Director Hal Lowder Jr. said there was no flooding in the city. A few areas saw water standing on the roadways, he said, but there were no major issues. Soules Swamp was already down due to the ongoing drought, and a clearing crew worked through much of the swamp last week, breaking beaver dams and removing debris. The FIMAN gauge on Madison Street showed a drop of more than a foot of water in the wake of the contractor’s work.
In Hallsboro, Maze Craze at Galloway Farms was hit hard by strong winds that toppled an event venue the left the top of a grain silo lodged in a tree. Community members turned out en masse to help with the cleanup Saturday. The maze itself was not damaged.
Acme-Delco-Riegelwood firefighters were called to N.C. 87 and Kennedy Store Road after a lightning strike ignited a tree in East Arcadia. ADR Chief Steve Camlin said in a social media post that the tree was split down the middle and could not be extinguished from the ground. Firefighters blocked N.C. 87 while they took down the tree and cleared the debris.
Lake Waccamaw saw some of the heaviest weather in the county, with trees knocking down power lines. Electricity was not restored to some neighborhoods until after 3 a.m. A number of Tabor city residents were without power into the early morning hours as well.
Church Street in Chadbourn flooded, along with several other streets in flood prone areas. Water was over the road at the Union Valley exit onto U.S. 74, as well as in a few of the perennial trouble spots in the county.
Williams Township and Nakina firefighters were called to a home in Williams after a lightning strike on an alarm system caused a brief fire. Quick thinking on the part of the homeowner, Angie Ward, prevented the fire from becoming worse. Mrs. Ward tripped the breakers and was waiting outside with her grandchild and puppy when firefighters arrived.
Galloway Farms sustained around $85,000 in damage, Alma Galloway said. Insurance will only cover a fraction of the losses, she said.
At first there was no hint of anything but a normal summer storm, she said.
“It started out like just a regular thunderstorm,” she said, “then the wind really picked up and just wreaked havoc.”
The shed that is used as an event venue was destroyed, she said. A grain bin was tossed into a neighbor’s tree. Most of the facility sustained damage of one kind or another, she said – but the Maze itself was unharmed.
“That was a miracle in itself,” she said. “Usually the least little thing damages it. But the maze is fine.”
Volunteers were on site cleaning up the downed buildings Saturday morning, she said, and other folks have called offering to help.
“It’s really heartwarming,” she said. “I tell folks the best way they can help is to make sure to let people know we are still here, and we will still be open.”
Mrs. Galloway said the destination may have to delay its opening by a week, but Maze Craze will be open as usual for the season. This year there will be special events offering a $2 discount to Columbus County residents, and other specials for law enforcement, first responders and medical personnel.
“We want to encourage local residents to come out and enjoy what we have to offer,” she said.
“We are still open,” Mrs. Galloway said. “We might have to make some changes this year, but we’re still here and we’ll be ready for visitors.”
