Fallen trees block road and down power lines in Bladen County

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — In Bladen County, officials are working to determine whether an actual tornado touched down.

Helltown Road in Garland has been closed due to damage from today’s storm.

Around 11 o’clock this morning, the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Bladen County. Just 30 minutes later, trees fell, blocking both sides of the road and taking down a power line in the process.

We dispatched a reporter to the scene, where crews from Four County Electric Membership Corporation and the State Department of Transportation are clearing the roadway and re-hanging power lines.

Prentice Madgar, the fire marshal for Sampson County, emphasized the need for patience among residents.

“It’s going to be a while because there is a lot they’ve gotta do—our next step will be to talk with the National Weather Service so they can do their review with it and find out straight line winds or a tornado touchdown,” he said.

Madgar also noted that, as of now, this is the most significant damage he has seen in this area of Bladen County.