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As storms approach, Rock Hill residents look back on last April's devastating hailstorm
Still recovering from an April 2024 hailstorm, York County residents brace for strong winds and possible hail on Monday.
ROCK HILL, S.C. — York County is expecting strong winds and hail on Monday. Many residents are feeling a sense of dread, as nearly a year ago, a hailstorm wiped out power and caused thousands of dollars in damage.
WCNC Charlotte’s Austin Walker spoke people in the Rock Hill community, where some neighbors are pleading, “Not again.”
The impacts of last April’s hailstorm are still visible in south Rock Hill. Gusty winds knocked down trees, toppling them onto houses. One home still has a massive, over 10-foot hole in its roof, with a tattered blue tarp barely hanging on. Across the street, exposed siding remains from the intense hailstorm. People are hoping today isn’t déjà vu.
April 20, 2024, is a date many in South Rock Hill remember all too well.
“There were a lot of trees on the ground, lots of roads blocked off, my power line was taken out, and I didn’t have power for a week,” said Mady Deloach, who, like many others, experienced the brunt of the storm nearly a year ago.
Straight-line winds reaching 90 miles per hour bulldozed trees, causing immense damage as they crashed onto homes. Combined with golf ball-sized hail, the storm left destruction in its wake.
Since then, Deloach has replaced her roof, but she says getting repairs and relief to the area was challenging.
“For how bad the storm was, when I called 911, I was put on hold because so many people were calling and it was just that bad,” she recalled.
The physical scars of the storm are still evident throughout the neighborhood—holes punched through metal siding from egg-sized hail. Looking back at photos on her phone, Deloach feels a rush of fear and uncertainty.
“It freaked me out pretty bad,” she admitted. “My car was totaled, my roof was destroyed, houses were destroyed and it worries me. I don’t want the same thing to happen and for people not to get the help they need.”
With Monday’s forecast calling for severe weather, people are on high alert once again.
Contact Austin Walker at awalker@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.