Storm wreaks havoc on Valley

by Jacqueline Hough
The Daily Herald Staff Writer
Published/Last Modified on Friday, November 13, 2009 4:40 PM EST

ROANOKE RAPIDS — The remnants of Hurricane Ida fueled by an Atlantic Ocean low pressure system continue to cause problems in Halifax and Northampton counties with flooding, falling tree limbs and power outages.

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Dominion Power spokesperson Daisy Pridgen said at press time, there were about 1,200 customers in Roanoke Rapids without power. “We have crews onsite at various locations,” she said. “They will work throughout the day to get power restored.” Pridgen added there is no estimated time for the restoration of power.

Tim Byers, Northampton County emergency management director, said the county has had several incidents of roads flooding.

Officials received a call earlier this morning about a vehicle being submerged in the swampy area of Highway186.

“We called the dive team from the Gaston Fire Department,” he said. “Nobody was found in the car. We’re thinking the car was abandoned once it went off the road.” Authorities discovered there were two cars in the water. No one was injured in the mishap.

A section of Highway 186 near the Virginia line was closed due to high waters this morning.

At press time, Byers said there was water running across Deberry Mill Road and the Department of Transportation was on the way to check it out.

Byers said he hadn’t heard of any power outages in the county, but added the wind and rain has taken a toll on a lot of trees. “Overall, we fared pretty good in the county,” he said.

He urged motorists to be cautious about water on the roads. “I would caution if they see a large amount of water on the road to turn around and take an alternate route,” he said. “It is not worth being washed away or having damaged to the vehicle. If you don’t know, don’t go through it.”

Tina Hinton, Halifax County emergency management coordinator, said there are still spotty areas without power.

“The main thing is going to the wind and the trees,” she said. “Tree limbs are still coming down on and off which could cause more power outages.”

Due to the rain Thursday, Hinton said there were several incidents of vehicles hydroplaning and trees across power lines. “We haven’t had any roads closed yet,” she said.

In Enfield, between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Thursday, the wind and rain caused a tree to fall on a shed on Liberty Street.

Lt. Daniel Hutchinson of the Enfield Police Department said a Ford Pickup truck and a Honda Accord were inside the shed and were damaged.

The tree also hit a Chevy Astro Mini van parked in the yard. Hutchinson said he didn’t know of any other incidents in the town.

There is relief in sight. The skies are expected to clear by Saturday evening with temperatures gradually rising. For your extended forecast see the weather box on page 3.

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