BRANCHVILLE - The Raylrode Daze Festivul will go on.
The town will continue to get library service.
The news Wednesday adds a semblance of normalcy for storm-damaged Branchville.
Four days after an EF-3 tornado devastated the center of the town -- including destroying town hall -- an official with this year's 40th annual Raylrode Daze in September said damage to Branch Junction won't doom the event.
Treasurer Carrie Johnson said the tradition of Raylrode Daze "is very important to the town and surrounding communities."
Saturday's storm took out five buildings, plus half the stage and the welcome center, in the festival staging area. That, coupled with the loss of two buildings to fire a year ago, leaves Branch Junction with two undamaged structures, Johnson said.
The festival board must make a decision on how to proceed with repairs, she said, unsure whether the weekend events will delay an April 5 meeting.
But just as the festival went on after Hurricane Hugo in September 1989, it will go on in September 2008. "I think the town is behind us," Johnson said.
Also Wednesday, Orangeburg County Librarian Paula Paul announced service will continue in the town. The library branch was located in town hall adjacent to the jury room, which was destroyed by winds that also took the roof off the building.
"The library was not damaged at all," Paul said, praising the help received Sunday from County Council Chairman Harry Wimberly, County Administrator Bill Clark and others in removing books and equipment.
To provide library service, the bookmobile will park at the Branchville ball field near the park from 5-7 p.m. every Monday and from 2-4:30 p.m. on Friday, beginning March 28. Along with the bookmobile staff, Martha Garwood, Branchville Branch librarian, will be on hand to meet patrons and offer assistance.
Books can be returned to the main library, bookmobile and any of the branches. Any overdue fines will be waived for a period of 60 days from the time they were due.
Paul said the library board intends to keep a branch in Branchville and will work to make that possible through next year's county budget process.
Meanwhile, Orangeburg County Emergency Service Director John Smith said officials documented damage to up to 10 more Branchville area homes on Wednesday.
In the wake of an announcement by Gov. Mark Sanford that he is requesting an assessment by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Smith said he expects to meet with FEMA officials on Thursday. "We'll have them in there (Branchville) Thursday and Friday," he said.
Smith said the cleanup in downtown Branchville has proceeded "remarkably fast," with efforts now focusing on removing trees and other debris from yards.
Mayor Tim Cooner agreed, thanking churches and other volunteers for their help.
"The thing we need most is help with the seniors," he said. "We have a lot of seniors, and we need help" to clean their property and ensure their safety.
Even as the Edisto Chapter of the American Red Cross was providing counselors to the people of Branchville, Smith and others were busy watching weather conditions Wednesday afternoon. Saturday's tornadoes and storms that brought more than $2 million in damage to Orangeburg County have many leery of another strike.
Insurers say the estimated damage in South Carolina from Saturday's tornadoes is $30 million. The South Carolina Insurance News Service said Tuesday more than 6,000 claims have been reported. Most of the damage was caused by hail and fallen trees. Original damage estimates Monday were around $13 million.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the S.C. Emergency Management Division reported 85 homes totally destroyed statewide, while 88 homes suffered major damage and 383 homes suffered minor damage. In addition, SCEMD has determined eight businesses were totally destroyed, 18 businesses suffered major damage and 33 had minor damage.
The National Weather Service confirmed at least 15 tornadoes in the state over the weekend. No one was killed.
Continuing to visit hard-hit places, the governor on Wednesday made the FEMA request as a step toward getting a presidential disaster declaration and federal aid for those affected by the storms.
Sanford visited Branchville on Monday, along with sites in Kershaw and Berkeley counties. He visited Newberry and Allendale counties on Wednesday.
"As we've come to learn the full impact of these storms, one can't help but be struck by the profound tragedy it has been for families across South Carolina," Sanford said. "At a state level, we've taken a number of s.jpg in response to these storms, and our next step is making this request to the federal government for their assistance in helping people get their lives back on track after these events. I'd ask that every South Carolinian continue to keep those affected in their thoughts and prayers.
In addition to the FEMA request, Sanford has also asked the Small Business Administration to come to the state to do an assessment of damage to determine if individuals and families can receive federal financial aid or low-interest loans.
No damage at depot
While town hall and many businesses in Branchville were damaged during Saturday's storms, the historic railroad depot that also houses a restaurant, Eatery at the Depot, was not damaged. The restaurant continues to operate as normal. A report in Wednesday's T&D incorrectly indicated the depot did suffer some damage.
For more on the Branchville cleanup and other news of the storm, visit www.TheTandD.com, where you'll find stories, photos, videos and more.
T&D Editor Lee Harter can be reached by e-mail at lharter@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5520. T&D Correspondent Richard Walker can be reached by e-mail at rwalker@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5516.