Incident # 24-06030 - Medic 14 and Medic 20 assisted the Town of Edisto Beach Fire & Police units when two EF1 Tornadoes struck the island at 21:42 Monday 05-August. Units were dispatched to the business district and the area around the 100 block of Palmetto Blvd when the first tornado touched down. Several homes and businesses were damaged with people trapped inside two homes. Firefighters were able to rescue the occupants and luckily no one received any injuries. While on the scene of the first incident 9-1-1 calls were received reporting a second tornado in the 2700 block of Palmetto Blvd. Units responded there to find one home destroyed and several damaged. No injuries were reported. Power lines on the causeway, the entrance to the island were broken, disabling the power grid for the town. Cellular telephone service was also reduced, making communications difficult. Heavy rains and winds from Hurricane Debby drenched the island as well causing flooding and downed trees. Dominion Energy Crews responded to the island quickly and had most of the power restored the following afternoon. Hwy 174 in CHarleston County also suffered damage and required Power Crews and DOT to make improvements. Cell service was also returned mid day Tuesday. The Town spent the remainder of the week restoring the streets and services to the community. Drainage improvements to the south end of the island paid off, lessening water accumulation in areas previously prone to flooding. Beach erosion was at a minimum.
