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 MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
