EAST ROCKINGHAM — Around 400 homes are currently without power following a late afternoon wreck.
According to Chief Bill Bayless of the East Rockingham Fire Department, a vehicle traveling southeast on Airport Road crashed into a power pole near the intersection with Sandhill Road, close to Edwards IGA.
The incident happened around 5:30 p.m. before it started to rain.
Bayless said the driver parked their vehicle at Pine Grove Baptist Church and left the scene.
The road was closed between Sandhill Road and Stillwell Street.
Duke Energy’s outage map shows 470 customers in Richmond County without power — 400 in East Rockingham.
Bayless said crews from the power company are working to replace the pole.
Duke estimates that power will be restored around 10:30 p.m.
Bayless also said the department responded to several weather-related calls, including limbs down, but nothing serious.
Earlier in the day, crews from the department and N.C. Forest Service worked to contain a woods fire on Loch Haven Road.
