Home Care In Rock Hill, SC

ROCK HILL, S.C. – A buzzsaw of a storm swept through South Carolina last weekend, causing significant damage in Rock Hill.

Although some residents suspected a tornado caused the trees to fall and power lines to be pulled down, the National Weather Service found no evidence of such damage. However, extensive damage was caused by the combination of winds reaching up to 90 mph and hail the size of softballs. A few minor injuries were reported.

The storm that blew through York County on April 20 spanned over 22 miles, from York to Interstate 77, with a maximum width of over 5.5 miles.

ALL HAIL BROKE LOOSE': SOFTBALL-SIZE HAIL DESTROYS PROPERTY IN CAROLINAS DURING WEEKEND HAILSTORM

In Rock Hill, some areas experienced a hailstorm with hailstones up to 4 inches in diameter, the largest reported in South Carolina in 13 years. The hailstones left yards and properties covered, giving the appearance of snow.

At Christopher Mazza's mother's birthday party, chaos quickly ensued outside his home just before 5 p.m. Saturday as the once-beautiful sunny day quickly turned worse, with trees in the backyard being whipped around like they were in blenders.

"The winds, and then the hail kicked in," Mazza told FOX Weather, thinking he was in a tornado or maybe even a hurricane.

Mazza recorded video showing his backyard fence knocked down by the hail deluge and his door blown open by the winds.

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Mazza said the storm caused significant damage, with numerous trees down in yards and on the streets. The high winds tore apart roofs and siding, while hail obliterated windows, fences and cars.

"They took an absolute beating," he added.

Thankfully, the homes were not leveled. However, Mazza and his neighbors are now working together to provide support for cleanup wherever they can.

ROCK HILL, S.C. – Severe thunderstorms brought a massive hailstorm to the Carolinas on Saturday, blasting out windows, tearing down fences and leaving yards covered in enough ice to create the appearance of a fresh blanket of snow.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was in effect for Rock Hill, Fort Mill and Tega Cay in South Carolina on Saturday at 4:45 p.m. ET. The warning included the potential for winds of up to 70 mph and huge hail.

Warnings were also in effect for central North Carolina through Saturday night into early Sunday morning. During the severe thunderstorms on Saturday and Sunday, the National Weather Service in Wilmington, North Carolina, received hail reports ranging from quarter to golf ball size.

Teams with the National Weather Service office in Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina, conducted surveys on Monday in Rock Hill and York to assess the damage from Saturday’s severe thunderstorms.

While some residents believed a tornado caused downed trees and pulled down powerlines, the NWS survey team did not find tornado damage but extensive damage due to the combination of winds between 70 and 90 mph and baseball-size hail.

“The combination of high winds and very large hail resulted in wind-driven hail that further exacerbated damage to structures, vehicles and trees,” according to the survey summary.

The survey team also said a few minor injuries were reported from the storm.

Hailstorm creates rivers of ice, covers ground with hailstones

Damage reports from York County, South Carolina, quickly began pouring into the NWS on Saturday as the storm blasted through the region.

Parts of Rock Hill received hail up to 4 inches in diameter – about the size of a softball. It was the largest hail reported in South Carolina in 13 years. The hailstorm left yards and properties covered in hailstones, making it look like snow.

Video recorded in Rock Hill by Chris Mazza showed the deluge of hail knocking down their backyard fence and winds causing their door to blow open. Mazza said his family was getting ready to celebrate his mom’s birthday when the storm blew in.

In front of the home, the rain and hail created a river of ice water running down the street, where vehicles could be seen with damaged windshields and covered in dents.

‘All hail broke loose’

Rock Hill resident Austin Jefferson told FOX Weather he was preparing to cater food for a wedding when the wild weather event began unfolding.

“What I thought would be a quick thunderstorm quickly turned into a hailstorm,” Jefferson said. “All hail broke loose, literally.”

The hail started out as penny-size before increasing in size to golf ball-size, according to Jefferson.

Jefferson was in his garage packing up supplies and had to force the door closed when the hailstorm started. His truck was seriously damaged, including a cracked windshield and dents on the body.

He got help shoveling the ice from his driveway to be able to make it to the wedding and cater the event.

Drone video recorded over the Roddey Park neighborhood in Rock Hill showed the extent of property damage from downed fences to cars and roofs with blue tarps.

Multiple sources reported widespread tree and wind damage throughout Rock Hill. During the storm, a gas station’s awning collapsed, and photos showed another business with its windows blown in.

Students in Rock Hill are attending school by eLearning on Monday because of the storm damage throughout the community, according to the school district.

The South Carolina High School League baseball playoffs begin next week, culminating with the state championship series beginning on May 18.

The S.C. Independent School Association baseball playoffs also begin next week with championship series set beginning May 13.

Here is a look at the SCHSL and SCISA schedules and matchups.

Class 5A

Saturday

Elimination games

Upper State

District 1: Spartanburg 7, Rock Hill 1

District 2: Fort Mill 11, Boiling Springs 1 (Friday)

District 3: Blythewood 13, Hillcrest 4 (Friday)

District 4: Gaffney 13, Byrnes 8 (Friday)

Lower State

District 5: Conway at Chapin, ppd., to Monday

District 6: River Bluff 2, Wando 0

District 7: Stratford 8, White Knoll 1

District 8: Fort Dorchester 7, St. James 1

District Championships

Monday

Upper State

District 1: Spartanburg at Lexington

District 2: Boiling Springs at Dutch Fork

District 3: Blythewood at Dorman

District 4: Gaffney at JL Mann

Lower State

District 5: Chapin/Conway at West Ashley (Tuesday)

District 6: River Bluff at Ashley Ridge

District 7: Stratford Knoll at Summerville

District 8: Fort Dorchester at Berkeley

Class 4A

Monday

Upper State

Riverside at Greer

Northwestern at Greenwood

Lower State

Wade Hampton at Hartsville

Bluffton at May River

Wednesday

Upper State

Riverside/Greer winner vs. Indian Land

Northwestern/Greenwood winner vs. Catawba Ridge

Lower State

Wade Hampton/Hartsville vs. West Florence

Bluffton/May River vs. Lucy Beckham

May 10

Upper State

TBD at Laurens

TBD at Easley

Lower State

TBD at North Myrtle Beach

TBD at James Island

Class 3A

Saturday

Elimination games

Upper State

District 1: Woodruff 7, Crescent 3

District 2: Wren 7, Clinton 4

District 3: Blue Ridge 4, Belton Honea Path 0 (Friday)

District 4: Seneca 12, Emerald 4

Lower State

District 5: Gilbert 9, Georgetown 8 (12)

District 6: Loris 5, Orangeburg-Wilkinson 2

District 7: Dreher 3, Aynor 1

District 8: Brookland-Cayce at Marlboro County, ppd., to Monday

District Championships

Monday

Upper State

District 1: Woodruff at Fountain Inn

District 2: Wren at Daniel

District 3: Blue Ridge at Union County

District 4: Seneca at Powdersville

Lower State

District 5: Gilbert at Beaufort

District 6: Loris at Camden

District 7: Dreher at Hanahan

District 8: Brookland-Cayce/Marlboro County at Waccamaw

Class 2A

Saturday

Elimination Games

Upper State

District 1: Ninety Six 10, Chesnee 2

District 2: Pelion at Landrum, ppd., to Monday

District 3: Abbeville at Blacksburg, ppd, to Monday

District 4: Batesburg-Leesville at Saluda, ppd., to Monday

Lower State

District 5: Bishop England 10, Lee Central 0

District 6: Andrew Jackson 6, Marion 2

District 7: Cheraw 6, Woodland 0

District 8: North Central 15, Academic Magnet 2

Monday

District Championships

Upper State

District 1: Ninety Six at Strom Thurmond (Tuesday)

District 2: Pelion/Landrum at Mid-Carolina (Tuesday)

District 3: Abbeville/Blacksburg at Fox Creek (Tuesday)

District 4: Batesburg-Leesville/Saluda at Gray Collegiate (Tuesday)

Lower State

District 5: Bishop England at Buford

District 6: Andrew Jackson at Barnwell

District 7: Cheraw at Oceanside Collegiate

District 8: North Central at Andrews

Class A

Saturday

Elimination games

Upper State

District 1: Whitmire at Lewisville, ppd., to Monday

District 2: Ware Shoals 13, CA Johnson 1

District 3: McBee 15, North 0

District 4: Williston-Elko at Brashier MC

Lower State

District 5: Hannah-Pamplico 7, Branchville 1

District 6: Carvers Bay 14, St. Johns 4

District 7: Bamberg-Ehrhardt at Latta

District 8: Lowcountry Leadership 13, Bridges Prep 7

Monday

District Championships

Upper State

District 1: Whitmire/Lewisville at Southside Christian (Tuesday)

District 2: Ware Shoals at St. Joseph’s

District 3: McBee at Christ Church

District 4: Williston-Elko/Brashier MC at Dixie

Lower State

District 5: Hannah-Pamplico at East Clarendon

District 6: Carvers Bay at Lake View

District 7: Bamberg-Ehrhardt/Latta at Johnsonville

District 8: Lowcountry Leadership at Green Sea Floyds

Class 4A

Monday

Laurence Manning at Augusta Christian

Trinity Collegiate at Wilson Hall

Wednesday

Laurence Manning/Augusta Christian winner at Pinewood Prep

Trinity Collegiate/Wilson Hall winner at Cardinal Newman

Class 3A

Monday

Florence Christian at Hilton Head Christian

Pee Dee Academy at Orangeburg Prep

Wednesday

Florence Christian/Hilton Head Christian winner at Williamsburg Academy

Pee Dee Academy/Orangeburg Prep winner at Hilton Head Prep

Class 2A

Best-of-3 series

Patrick Henry vs. Calhoun Academy

Monday: Calhoun Academy at Patrick Henry

Tuesday: Patrick Henry at Calhoun Academy

Thursday: Calhoun Academy at Patrick Henry, if necessary

Dorchester Academy vs. Colleton Prep

Monday: Colleton Prep at Dorchester Academy

Tuesday: Dorchester Academy at Colleton Prep

Thursday: Colleton Prep at Dorchester Academy, if necessary

Class A

Best-of-3 Series

Richard Winn vs. Jefferson Davis

Monday: Jefferson Davis at Richard Winn

Tuesday: Richard Winn vs. Jefferson Davis

Thursday: Jefferson Davis at Richard Winn, if necessary

Holly Hill vs. Newberry Academy

Monday: Newberry Academy at Holly Hill

Tuesday: Holly Hill at Newberry Academy

Thursday: Newberry Academy at Holly Hill, if necessary

This story was originally published May 2, 2024, 8:39 PM.

(803) 771-8419

Lou Bezjak is the High School Sports Prep Coordinator for The (Columbia) State and (Hilton Head) Island Packet. He previously worked at the Florence Morning News and had covered high school sports in South Carolina since 2002. Lou is a two-time South Carolina Sports Writer of the Year by the National Sports Media Association.

ROCK HILL, S.C. (WBTV) - There is help available for those impacted by a storm that blew through the Rock Hill area Saturday.

The storm brought strong winds and hail, causing trees and powerlines to fall, vehicles and homes to be damaged, and even a large gas station awning to be torn down. Though findings showed a swath of straight-line winds from northwest to southeast of 60-90 mph winds, there was no confirmation of a tornado.

Officials said about 200 homes in the area were damaged, including many with ripped siding and roofing.

Samaritan’s Purse sending volunteers

Samaritan’s Purse has been working with local emergency management officials and church partners to coordinate its response, focusing specifically on aiding lower-income neighborhoods.

Volunteers are still on the ground in Rock Hill, but more are needed. Oakdale Baptist Church is serving as the base of operations. Samaritan’s Purse is also asking for prayer for volunteers and those affected by the storm.

More information can be found here.

Vehicle hail damage estimates

Nationwide has opened a drive-up, vehicle hail damage assessment center in Rock Hill. This is available for Nationwide customers by appointment at the Home Depot on Home Depot Boulevard. It’s open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily until May 7, 2024. Appointments can be made online or by calling 800-421-3535.

Debris cleanup or repairs, general questions or other storm-related needs

If you need help with debris cleanup or repairs, you can call 803-250-3679. For general questions or other storm-related needs, call 803-326-2300.

Do you have a resource that should be added to this list? Send us an email or call our newsroom at 704-374-3692.

This story will be updated as more resources are made available.

Download the free WBTV News app for the latest stories sent straight to your phone.

Copyright 2024 WBTV. All rights reserved.

Rock Hill residents are still dealing with downed trees, damaged roofs and smashed cars days after a storm pummeled the city’s southern end with golf-ball sized hail and winds up to 90 miles per hour.

A preliminary assessment of the damage from Saturday’s storm showed five homes destroyed, 17 houses with major damage, and hundreds more buildings with some damage, according to a statement Wednesday from York County government. The damage to buildings and vehicles will reach into the millions of dollars, said Chuck Haynes, York County Emergency Management director.

“We know it will be millions of dollars, but right now we don’t know yet how many millions,” Haynes said Wednesday.

In neighborhoods around Saluda Road and Heckle Boulevard Wednesday, volunteer groups helped some people with debris while utility crews worked to get the last homes without power for days back onto the grid.

As of Thursday morning around 9 a.m., around 20 Rock Hill utilities customers were still without service, the city’s outage map showed. City crews, York County Electric Cooperative and others from as far away as Easley and Union in South Carolina, could be seen putting up new poles, transformers and lines to get the power on.

Thousands of people initially lost power after the storm. At a news conference Monday in Rock Hill after the storm, NWS meteorologist Steve Wilkinson said the storm was one of the most damaging in memory.

Hail storms of the magnitude that hit Rock Hill are rare for the Southeast and generally seen in the Plains states, Wilkinson said.

Whitney Long and his wife Elizabeth Long sat on their porch at the intersection of Post Lane and Schulyer Avenue Wednesday afternoon waiting on crews to restore electricity to their house, and they were in good company. The couple’s pet potbelly pig Whitbur sat nearby eating cherry tomatoes.

The couple recalled Saturday’s freak hail storm, a macroburst of rain, hail and high winds, and how it devastated some parts of the city while leaving large swaths untouched. The Longs had just returned home from a pool tournament when the hail started. Then a tree fell. The hail began to pick up in size.

“It came down so hard and so fast, it covered the grass,” Whitney Long said. “And then we started seeing the trees falling.”

Elizabeth Long said she could see leaves swirling in the air.

The couple has used a gas grill to cook and a generator to power the refrigerator and to charge their phones.

“It’s like a long camping trip,” Whitney Long said.

A few houses down Schuyler Avenue, Johanna McClure showed damage that included five cars and downed trees. A branch speared a hole into her ceiling. The utility poles behind her home? Demolished.

“The power pole right behind us split in half,” McClure said.

On Schuyler Avenue nearby, Jeremy Sloan continued to clear debris from several trees that fell around his property and even onto his neighbor’s lot. Somehow, none of the large trees fell directly on the home.

“It could have been a lot worse,” Sloan said. “Some of my neighbors had trees fall on their houses.”

Sloan said after the storm neighbors checked on each other then got to work pulling trees from the road.

“People started helping each other almost as soon as the storm had passed,” Sloan said.

That spirit of cooperation continued through Wednesday.

Down Schuyler Avenue, a group of people in gold shirts used a chain saw to cut a tree that fell in a yard.

Chris Johnston with the York Baptist Association and a crew of six were in Rock Hill to cut downed trees and move the debris to the road. The association helps with disaster relief as part of the South Carolina Baptist Association Disaster Relief organization.

Johnston said Baptist association volunteers from Florence, Charleston and other parts of South Carolina traveled to Rock Hill and will be here for several days to cut trees and haul debris.

“We make teams to go around to houses like this and help with people who can’t afford to have their trees removed or cut up in their yards,” Johnston said. “We do this all of the time and we love doing it.”

Since Saturday, Johnston said the organization has had about 50 to 60 volunteers help with the cleanup. The organization plans to have cleanup crews through Saturday. Johnston said volunteers “get to do God’s work.”

“It’s a Baptist thing, but it doesn’t matter who you are,” he added. “It feels good.”

The York Baptist Association is a group of dozens of area churches. Mike Wallace, director of missions for the county baptist association, said crews helped at more than 30 homes.

Volunteers and other groups who saw the devastation in news reports and on social media didn’t just bring chainsaws and tree limb cutters. They also brought food and water.

And love.

“It takes everybody pitching in to help others get through this,” said Ken Gillikin, a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity who cleared a stranger’s Lige Street yard Wednesday along with volunteers Pierre Chalaron and Gerry Myers.

Gillikin is a pastor at Epiphany Lutheran Church, located miles away.

“This side of town got hit hard,” Gillikin said of the city’s southern edge. “That’s all the more reason to help.”

Tim Veeck, chief executive officer for York County Habitat for Humanity, said Wednesday staff and volunteers will continue to go through neighborhoods to talk to families about needs over the coming days and weeks. The organization hopes to serve as many people as possible, Veeck said.

To volunteer through Habitat for Humanity or reach out for assistance, Veeck said people can visit the agency’s website at yorkcountyhabitat.org or social media pages.

At a dinner giveaway Tuesday evening on Crawford Road, volunteers donated, cooked and served food, according to the Rock Hill Community Fridge Facebook page. Pictures from the event online showed Rock Hill Mayor John Gettys serving food alongside Carolina Panthers player Jadeveon Clowney, who grew up in Rock Hill. They were just two of the dozens of people in the photos from sororities and fraternities and other groups, including Rock Hill city council members Perry Sutton and Derrick Lindsey, who have donated time and hearts to help others, according to the city and social media postings since the storm hit.

Oakdale Baptist Church, located nearby in southern Rock Hill, posted on its church Facebook page that Samaritan’s Purse charity response team will be stationed there for at least a week to help people affected by the storm.

For volunteer opportunities visit the Oakdale Baptist Church or Samaritan’s Purse websites and social media pages, or call 803-992-1405. To speak with Samaritan’s Purse to receive assistance, call 833-747-1234.

York County Emergency Management said in a statement it’s helping coordinate volunteer groups. People who need clean up for debris removal, cutting fallen limbs or trees or tarps to cover roof damage can call 803-250-3679.

For other questions or storm related needs, call the county emergency management office at 803-326-2300.

York County emergency officials also urged the public to use care when talking to people soliciting repair business.

“We encourage all property owners to work with reputable businesses who are licensed and insured in South Carolina. Look at customer reviews, check BBB ratings, compare estimates from multiple companies, and ask for estimates in writing,” county officials said in a statement Wednesday.

Pollo Campero’s first-ever South Carolina location is now open for business. The fried chicken restaurant is located just off Cherry Road at 1022 Riverview Road in Rock Hill.

Owner Gilmer Alfaro told The Herald that he’s excited to add Pollo Campero to his portfolio of 12 other restaurants across Raleigh and Charlotte. Pollo Campero Vice President of Franchise Development Blas Escarcega and Director of Operations for AV Investments Rajesh Chauhan largely spoke on behalf of Alfaro due to a language barrier.

“It has been a lot of legwork,” Chauhan said. “We had to change the plan so many times. It was a little bit of a hassle, but at last, we got it over. That’s what matters, and we’re in South Carolina now.”

“We’re excited to be in a new state,” Escarcega said. “It’s a great community. We’re excited that people came out the first day to visit us, and I think people are going to find that our food is something that’s going to be flavorful.”

[MORE TASTES TO TRY: Newly-opened downtown Rock Hill shop is ‘obsessed with sandwiches.’]

The fast-food restaurant’s calling card is its traditional Guatemalan fried chicken.

“It’s marinated to the bone,” Escarcega said. “It’s got very good breading. It’s seasoned. It’s flavorful. That’s really our top seller and has been our top seller since 1971.”

The restaurant also offers grilled chicken to complete a menu of chicken sandwiches, empanadas, bowls, salads and nuggets with a host of traditional sides and desserts.

The store is located just off Cherry Road on Riverview Road, just across the street from the McDonald’s.

Pollo Campero originally started in Guatemala City, Guatemala, in 1971 and has had restaurants in the United States since 2002.

South Carolina is now the 20th state to have one, and the Rock Hill location is the fourth in the Carolinas. There are two restaurants in Charlotte and one in Raleigh.

“We love the state of South Carolina,” Escarcega said. “It’s one where there’s a lot of economic progress. We know that this state is business-friendly. We know that people are migrating here to the state, so the population is growing.

“The Southeast loves fried chicken. We know that people consume more fried chicken in the Southeast than anywhere in the U.S. We knew it was going to be a success for us being in this state.”

Location: 1022 Riverview Road, Rock Hill, SC, 29730

Menu

Cuisine: Guatemalan, chicken

Facebook: Pollo Campero USA

Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday