<h2>Local group collecting goods to help out SC neighbors</h2>
<h4>By Mike McCombs</h4>
For the most part, Beaufort County residents caught a break early Monday morning, missing the worst of the storms that swept across South Carolina through the night.

At least nine residents of the state were killed, including five in Hampton County and one in Colleton County where a tornado touched down. As many as 250 homes were destroyed in Hampton County.

Other media outlets reported that at least 20 planes were destroyed at Walterboro’s Lowcountry Regional Airport, while many homes were destroyed and roads blocked across the county seat of Colleton County.

In Beaufort, the damage was limited.

Around 7 a.m., a large oak tree came down, blocking Ribaut Road between Hermitage and Depot roads, according to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office. It was removed by mid-morning.

Power was out to traffic signals at key intersections in Port Royal – Lady’s Island Drive and Ribaut Road, as well as Parris Avenue and Ribaut Road – and Port Royal Police were on scene to manage traffic during the morning rush.

And a portion of the Spanish Moss Trail was closed, according to the City of Beaufort/Port Royal Fire Department, between Brotherhood Road and Broome Lane, where a large tree came down on a power line.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

Aside from a few downed trees and standing water, there was no widespread damage.
<h4>How to help</h4>
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Relief Society Organization, working in conjunction with other churches in the town of Ridgeland, are collecting necessities to be delivered to those in the greatest need in the Walterboro/Nixville area.

Among the items needed are soap, razors and shaving cream, toothbrushes and toothpaste, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, shampoo, diapers and wipes, baby formula and baby food, clothing of all sizes, bottled water, bread, individual bags of chips, individually wrapped snacks, ice in styrofoam coolers, paper lunch bags, zipper/fold-top sandwich bags, plastic totes and large trash bags.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

Some donations may be delivered immediately, but most will definitely be delivered by Friday.

To arrange drop off for donations, call Lisa Clancy at 843-252-1146, Michelle Morgan at 843-986-2637 or Tammy Thaxton at 385-775-4449.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

Donations can also be dropped off at donation boxes outside of Hobbit Hill Preschool (921 Magnolia Bluff Circle, Shell Point) or Hobbit Hill, Too Preschool (5 Rue Du Bois, Lady’s Island), thanks to state representative Shannon Erickson.

Follow The Island News Facebook page for any updates or for additional needed items.

<em>Above: City of Beaufort Public Works workers and the S.C. DOT clean up a tree that blocked Ribaut Road early Monday morning. Photo by City of Beaufort.</em>