ROCKINGHAM — “It’s a leafnado!” 10-year-old Chase Nickel exclaimed as a gust of wind sent a swath of leaves upward in a spiral at the Hitchcock Creek Greenway on Steele Street Friday afternoon.
With that same gust of wind, a small limb snapped from a tree on the park’s perimeter and was left hanging.
Several people wandered over to Hitchcock Creek to escape boredom after winds from Hurricane Florence, which has since been downgraded to a tropical storm, caused power outages across Richmond County.
The northern end of the county lost power around 8 a.m. when a transformer blew in Ellerbe, causing that town and Norman to be in the dark, according to mayors Lee Berry and Kenneth Broadway.
Emergency crews in Rockingham had been working since 7 a.m., according to Safety Director Mike Deprizio.
He advised residents to stay off the roads and from venturing out during the seemingly calm periods.
“Don’t get lulled into thinking this thing is over,” he said. “It’s just the beginning.”
As of 8:15 p.m. on Friday, Sheriff James Clemmons said there had been no storm-related injuries in the county, adding that conditions did not currently warrant a curfew.
Clemmons also applauded the county’s residents for “acting accordingly,” and the efforts of first responders led by Emergency Services Director Donna Wright. He said she has done “a yeoman’s job” making sure assets are in place.
County Manager Bryan Land said there were about 100 people at both the shelters at Richmond Senior High School and Mineral Springs.
The Place of Grace has also opened as a shelter in East Rockingham.
Pastor Gary Richardson asks that anyone seeking refuge there bring their own toiletries and bedding.
“We have shelters, we have food, we have clothing…right now we have power,” he said. “We do have a full kitchen and cafeteria that is available,” and meals will be provided.
Richmond County is under a flash flood watch until 8 p.m. Sunday as the storm slowly moves inland.
Throughout the day, trees fell in yards, on houses and across roads and power lines, including on Greene Street, as Nathan Black and his wife were sitting in their living room on Facebook.
“The next thing you know, we thought a transformer blew,” he said. “I looked out and a tree had caught fire for 20 seconds.”
About 20 minutes later, Black added, another nearby tree fell across the lines and into the road.
As of 7 p.m., Mayor Antonio Blue said there were no fallen trees in Dobbins Heights.
Deprizio also pleaded with people to stay off the creek during the storm.
“Don’t put yourself in danger,” he said. “You also put first responders in danger. I know it’s tempting. Just wait ’til the storm passes and (the creek) goes down, then you can enjoy yourself.”
