Severe weather including a tornado tore through Newberry County Saturday afternoon leaving in its trail substantial damage to trees, homes and power lines. Sheriff Lee Foster said that emergency workers throughout Newberry County were swamped when severe storms struck the area Saturday afternoon. Foster said that included in the severe weather was a confirmed touchdown of a tornado in the Prosperity section of the county. Sheriff Foster says that large trees were uprooted, many homes were heavily damaged, and at least one home was destroyed by the tornado. He said that the damages included roofs torn from homes, chimneys that collapsed, and damage from falling trees. Foster on Saturday said that it would be difficult at that point to estimate the number of home damaged by the storm. Sheriff Foster said that one woman was trapped when her mobile home was destroyed during the tornado. She had to be extricated from the home, and was transported for medical treatment. She was conscious when she left the scene, but nothing further regarding the woman’s medical condition was available at this time. He said that all of her valuables were inside the home, and that thanks to the valiant efforts of the Prosperity Fire Department and Prosperity Rescue Squad most of those items were recovered. Foster stated Saturday that the main power lines were knocked down during the storm and there are a number of power outages were experienced throughout the Prosperity area. “I cannot say enough about all of the emergency workers who responded and worked in these adverse weather conditions,” said Foster. “The fire departments, rescue squads, and law enforcement officers stood strong to ensure public safety during this terrible storm.” Foster said that workers from Newberry County Public Works, South Carolina Department of Transportation, and others responded quickly to begin clearing the many roads blocked by trees and other obstacles. He said that on several occasions deputies in the center of the storm found themselves trapped in all directions by fallen trees blocking the roadways. “It took an incredible feat of cooperation to work through this sudden storm,” said Foster. “Practically every deputy in Newberry County responded to the area whether they were on duty or not. Many of them left them homes and families to respond to those in need. I thank goodness that we were able to respond so quickly to protect citizens, search for the injured, and block road where dangerous downed power lines were located.” “I would also be remiss if I did not mention our communications division,” said Foster. “The 911 center was covered in calls, but they worked to maintain radios, telephones, and all communications keeping the rescue and clearing efforts alive. Much like the deputies, several of them responded off duty to the 911 center to offer support.” STORM UPDATE In an update to last weekend’s storm damage report, Sheriff Foster on Sunday stated that the National Weather Service has determined the area in Prosperity was struck by an EF3 Tornado that contained 140 mile per hour winds. Foster also said that the damage assessment and clean-up from the storm damage continues. Foster stated that authorities have identified at least 45 homes in the Prosperity area that suffered damage during the storm. The damage ranged from minor to complete destruction of one home. Although it is still too early to estimate the monetary loss, it will be significant. Highway 391 is closed to anyone other than local residents and anyone not from the area will be stopped and escorted from the area. It is barricaded and detours are posted.