Rain causes havoc in York, Chester counties, knocking down trees, signs

Heavy rain that started Sunday and continued through Monday knocked down dozens of trees across York County Monday, caused traffic detours and even a sign came off a Rock Hill business, but officials reported no injuries.

A large tree blocked traffic both ways on Dave Lyle Boulevard early Monday afternoon. Road crews with the South Carolina Department of Transportation responded and cleared the road by 2:30 p.m., according to spokesman Jason Childers.

The crews planned to return Tuesday to remove the remains of the tree from the side of the road, Childers said.

He said crews also responded to fallen trees on Tuckaway Road and Reid Road in Rock Hill.

The facade holding the sign on the Family Dollar building on Saluda Street just south of downtown Rock Hill toppled from the front of the building. City building inspectors went to the scene after Rock Hill firefighters responded. The damage was likely caused by water from the storm, said Katie Quinn, spokesperson for the city.

The store will remain closed until debris can be cleared and it is safe to enter and exit as repairs are made, Quinn said.

Although damage seemed to be more severe on the city’s eastern side, Rock Hill firefighters had at least four other calls for downed trees, including a tree that fell on a home on Wentworth Avenue on the northwestern side of the city and at least three locations on Willowbrook Avenue, Jones Avenue and another location on the east side, said Mark Simmons, Rock Hill Fire Department deputy chief.

Trees were down in Rock Hill, Tega Cay, York and Hickory Grove, said Chuck Haynes, director of York County Emergency Management, but the impacts on roads and power were quickly handled. Rains that had gone on for more than 24 hours, plus the increased weight of the trees from leaves and water, could have caused some of the tree damage, Haynes said.

“We had some trees down all over. It wasn’t centered in any specific place,” Haynes said.

A Richburg motel, in Chester County near Interstate 77, reported damage from a leaking roof, said Eddie Murphy, Chester County Emergency Management director.

A tree that fell during heavy rain in Lancaster Sunday damaged a home and displaced residents, the American Red Cross reported. The Red Cross is assisting the family.

Rainfall Monday afternoon had totaled 2.78 inches at the Lancaster airport since early Sunday, and 2.72 inches at Rock Hill’s airport. Chester’s airport reported 1.95 inches of rain during that time. But an automated gauge at Tega Cay reported 3.28 inches, and more than 4 inches had fallen near the Lancaster-Mecklenburg county line.

Forecasters said the low-pressure system responsible for the rain slowly moved eastward Monday afternoon across Georgia and was expected to reach the coast by evening and turn northward. Rain was expected to gradually decrease in intensity overnight and end Tuesday morning.

Clouds and rain combined with a cool high pressure system over New England to keep temperatures in the 50s Sunday and Monday. That was about 30 degrees colder than Saturday. Meteorologists said they expect sunshine – and much warmer temperatures – to return Wednesday and last through the week.

This story was originally published April 24, 2017 at 9:02 AM with the headline "Rain causes havoc in York, Chester counties, knocking down trees, signs."