Severe Storm Wreaks Havoc in Moncks Corner
In Moncks Corner, the onslaught of Tropical Storm Debby has led to widespread destruction, flipping cars, and inflicting serious damage to local businesses and restaurants.
A Surprise Attack from Debby
Early Tuesday morning, residents of Moncks Corner woke to the devastating after-effects of what is believed to have been a microburst or even a tornado. The town’s mayor, Thomas Hamilton, expressed shock and uncertainty at the quick-hitting storm: “It seems like we’ve had some type of event—microburst, tornado, we don’t know yet—come off the Tail Race and come through this plaza,” he said.
Damage Across the Landmarks
The storm cut a deadly path near US Highway 52, where it crashed into the Arby’s restaurant and other surrounding businesses. Furthermore, cars could also be seen flipped over, a testament to the intensity of the storm. Despite such significant damages, Mayor Hamilton counted his blessings: “Damaged the Arbys, went between the Walmart and the Dollar Tree building. Luckily, we have minor injuries. It didn’t hit any residential, so we’re really blessed,” he added.
Staying Away is Staying Safe
In the wake of such critical circumstances, Mayor Hamilton and Moncks Corner Fire Chief Robert Gass appealed to local residents to stay clear of the affected area, especially while emergency personnel are operating. The fire chief also urged residents to remain at home as the storm lingered. “There’s no reason to get out and sightsee,” he said. He further warned locals to keep off the potentially dangerous debris that might not have been identified during the initial survey in the dark: “Just avoid the area and during the storm, stay home,” he said.
Unconfirmed Tornado
As of Tuesday morning, whether the destruction was caused by a tornado remained unconfirmed. However, the scale of the destruction and the high level of uncertainty will certainly give the residents of Moncks Corner a stormy night to remember.
Residents are now holding their breaths, hoping for the storm to pass and waiting for the dawn of a new day when they can begin to put their lives back together.
Author: STAFF HERE SPARTANBURG
The SPARTANBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESpartanburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Spartanburg International Festival, Spartanburg ArtWalk, and motorsport events at Spartanburg Speedway. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and textiles that power the local economy such as BMW Manufacturing and Milliken & Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
