ROCKINGHAM — More than 7,500 Duke Energy customers are in the dark hours after strong winds associated with a nor’easter blew through the region.
As of 7:50 p.m. Duke Energy reported that Richmond County accounted for 1,071 of its 7,200 of its North Carolina customers without power. The estimated time of restoration is 12:30 a.m.
Richmond County, as of this writing, has the highest number of customers without power, seconded by New Hanover as the only other county with more than 1,000 out.
Pee Dee Electric reported, as of 8 p.m., that 689 of its customers were still without power.
The National Weather Service issued a high wind warning at 3:30 p.m. — but the damage had already been done.
Winds snapped trees across the county, sending some down on power lines, knocking out electricity to many.
Christmas decorations also fell victim to the winds, including the Santa and reindeer display atop Discovery Place Kids in downtown Rockingham.
An areal flood watch remains in effect until 6 a.m.
As of 4:30 p.m., Lee Berry noted that his gauge had collected 2.3 inches of rain.
