Biscoe hit by severe storm Wednesday night

June 19--BISCOE -- Biscoe was hard hit by a severe thunderstorm that went across eastern Montgomery County Wednesday night. At least a dozen trees were down, most across power lines, but no one was injured.

Rainfall was measured by several residents at between 2-3 inches, but there was no official rainfall. Hail was intermittent during the storm that came in quickly about 10:30 p.m. and battered the town for over an hour before moving over Moore County.

Moore County officials reported several trees were down in isolated areas, but no power outages or property damage occurred.

Electric power was out from about 10:30 p.m. until between 2:30-3:30 a.m. Satellite communications were down, taking computers and cell phones down. Land line telephones were still operating.

On Thursday morning, streets were littered with limbs and leaves, and residents were assessing the damage to yards, gardens and outdoor furniture.

The town maintenance department, Biscoe firefighters and Duke Power crews had been out all night cutting trees, clearing debris and checking transformers. Police officers patrolled the streets for downed trees to put out safety cones and to remove large limbs.

"The power of this storm was concentrated in Biscoe," said Grant Hunsucker, emergency services director. "We were fortunate that no one was hurt, but I understand the American Red Cross was called to assist a family on Edward Drive when a tree damaged their house."

Edward Drive is between Biscoe and Candor.

A huge oak fell across Pine Street on a car in the driveway and on the house. Sam Stewart, Biscoe maintenance director, said the insurance adjustor had assessed the damage, which was not severe to the house, but the car was totalled. The homeowner was advised that his homeowner's insurance did not cover the vehicle.

The clean-up started as the storm subsided with a tree that fell on Green Street and blocked Nancy Drive.

Hunsucker said only a couple of streets, including Pine Street, were still blocked by noon on Thursday.

Trees had fallen on Clayola Drive, Brooks Street, Wright Road, N.C. 24/27 at Coggins Road, Lemonds Welding Road, Lambert Drive, Shady Oak Drive, Ann Drive, Craven Street and Sedberry Road.

Hunsucker said just a week ago, on June 9, a similar isolated cell thunderstorm had hit Mt. Gilead in southern Montgomery County and caused similar damage.

Duke Power reported that 821 customers were without power during the night, but that number was down to a few isolated customers by mid-morning.

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