The Community Times Dispatch

Most of the Lowcountry was basically shrouded with dark clouds in the early morning of Saturday, March 15, 2008. By noon the sun had burst through the cloud and several hours of sunshine filled the day. However, by early evening the winds started picking up and lighting could be spotted in the distance.

Reports started coming in that the South Carolina Department of Transportation and the Highway Patrol was shutting down parts of the Interstate, due to severe storms and tornado warnings. Members of The Dispatch were at the Orangeburg Dragstrip and decided to head to Walterboro down Highway 21.

Walterboro Pro-Mod Driver Greg Godwin and his wife were also traveling back to Walterboro down Highway 21, however, when they reach the town of Branchville they had to stop because they actually reported seeing the storm touch down. Moments later the Town of Branchville, South Carolina was devastated.

According to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, statewide 68 homes were totally destroyed, 81 homes suffered major damage and 352 homes suffered minor damage. SCEMD currently has disaster assessment teams in various locations throughout the state who are determining the extent of the damage.

24 counties in South Carolina reported at least some type of severe weather Saturday, including multiple touchdowns from 17 tornados confirmed by the National Weather Service.

Trees and other debris toppled cars and at least one home in Colleton County.

According to Allison Love of the South Carolina Insurance New Service, over 6,000 insurance claims have now been reported to insurance companies as a result of the recent storms. The total estimated insured property damage is now over $27 million as of 3:00 p.m. on March 18, 2008. The average claim amounts are ranging from $3,000 to $5,000.

Many Colleton residents suffered power outages, but no loss of life was reported in the county due to the recent storm system.

In the Lowcountry, 29 SCDOT employees worked Saturday night in Lowcountry counties clearing debris. In Berkeley County, I-26 was closed for a period of time at mile marker 191 until trees were pushed to the side of the interstate. Colleton County employees worked through the night to clear approximately 30 trees from several routes. On Sunday, SCDOT employees continued to work at the location between mile markers 190 and 191 on I-26. A tornado that touched in the immediate area created damage to several hundred trees. Both directions on I-26 were reduced to one lane nearly all of Sunday March 16. SCDOT crews were sent from Charleston and Dorchester to assist Berkeley County crews in clearing I-26.

SCDOT employees continued to work at the location between mile markers 190 and 191 on I-26. A tornado that touched in the immediate area created damage to several hundred trees. Both directions on I-26 were reduced to one lane nearly all of Sunday March 16. SCDOT crews were sent from Charleston and Dorchester to assist Berkeley County crews in clearing I-26.

SCDOT worked closely with troopers from the SC Department of Public Safety to keep the highways as safe as possible immediately following the storms. The Highway Patrol reports that no fatalities were recorded for Saturday March 15.