CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, N.C. — More than 9,000 customers remain without power in Chesterfield County after Hurricane Matthew brought heavy rain and strong winds.
Traffic lights remained out on Highway 9 from Chesterfield to Cheraw and the majority of restaurants and shops were closed.
“It’s dead,” Elliot Covington said. “You can’t buy anything Uptown. There’s no electricity.”
Covington is one of those thousands without power. Channel 9 caught up with him near his home on Old Cash Road in Cheraw. The street hasn’t been passable since Saturday.
Nearby portions of the Cheraw County Club’s golf course also remained under water Sunday. The green had turned into a series of small ponds and a number of trees had uprooted in and around the course.
“A lot of trees down which of course took out the power,” explained Terrie Curtis, assistant director Chesterfield Emergency Management.
The Chesterfield EMA said it could be up to three days before power is restored to residents in Chesterfield County.
Channel 9 saw dozens of utility trucks in the area. Officials said crews were working to locate and fix a main transmitter line damaged by the storm and once that’s complete other repairs should move more quickly.
In the meantime officials have opened the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office as a “safe place.” They’re able to provide power and a place to sleep but there isn’t any food, said officials.
“We’re unable to open any shelters because our schools are our shelters and they’re without power also,” Curtis said.
Duke Energy was unable to provide a timetable as to when power would be restored. A spokesperson did tell Channel 9 the company is sending 6,000 additional personnel to the Carolinas to help with restoration.