By Betsy Finklea
There were a number of rescues during Hurricane Matthew.
The City of Dillon Rescue members and members of the City Fire Department handled the evacuations in the Dillon aea.
On Sunday morning, October, they rescued 10 people and some animals from the rising water in the Mocassin Bluff area. Water was above the mail boxes and continued to rise while they were on the scene, Dillon Fire Chief Keith Bailey told The Herald. A boat was used for the rescue. This was one fo the worst water levels he has seen. He said there were no injuries, and the people were very thankful to get out of there.
Bailey said there were many rescues that he could tell about during this time.
In Latta, Town Administrator Jarett Taylro said on Saturday morning around 10:00 a.m. the water started rising in the Covington and Edwards Street areas. When he and other personnel arrived, some residents were chest deep in water. He, the Latta Rescue Squad, Dillon County (Latta) Fire Station Two, Latta Police, and Latta EMS pulled approximately 75 residents from this area. The Dillon County Sheriff’s Office came with their mobile command center and took the evacuees to the Dillon shelter. The Latta Street and Water Department workers immediately got out to keep the roads as passable as possible.
As roads continue to be fixed, Taylor stresses that residents should not move barriers as this is more dangerous than some people realize.