SUMTER COUNTY, S.C. — Residents across the Midlands are picking up the pieces following severe weather that led to over 50 wind damage reports on Thursday and Friday.
Robert Shifflett of Sumter County came home Friday night with his wife to find their home crushed.
"It's kinda heartbreaking being here 30 years and you gotta do something else now," he said.
Shifflett said he was thankful they weren't home at the time but became worried for their two dogs and two cats when they pulled into the driveway and saw the damage.
"Four animals inside and they were all really scared when we came up," he said. "They didn't want to come out of their hiding spaces so we could get them out of there."
Fortunately, he said they all made it through the storm OK.
The Shiffletts were out and about when storms hit. So, when they arrived right before sundown, they were stunned at what they found.
"When it came down it did some major damage inside," Shifflett said. "The floor has collapsed from the weight of the wall holding up the tree."
And the tree wasn't the only cause of damage with rain also seeping in.
"There's multiple big holes in the ceiling and the rain was coming in and it was coming in on the backside where the main weight is," Shifflett said. "And the TVs, clocks and the freezer got crushed enough to where the door popped open and actually fell into the floor. The weight is on the front door so it can't be opened.
He added that if it does open, the tree will fall even more.
Now the two are left without their home and staying at a hotel as questions about their next steps loom.
"Nah, I don't know what's next," Shifflett said.