Beaufort County Faces Aftermath of Hurricane Helene
As the sun began to rise over Beaufort County on Friday morning, the community woke up to an overwhelming reminder of the power of nature. Hurricane Helene, which had made its way through the region, left a trail of destruction that was starkly evident throughout the area. Residents stepped outside only to be greeted by fallen trees, scattered debris, and the unmistakable sight of downed power lines. Thousands were left without electricity, creating an urgent need for cleanup and restoration.
State Response and Damage Updates
Governor Henry McMaster held a statewide update at 2 p.m. on Friday, highlighting that the number of power outages due to Helene may surpass those from any storm in recent memory. The winds were notably fierce, with Beaufort recording a peak gust of 75 mph. John Quagliariello from the National Weather Service reported that a whopping 63 tornado warnings were issued across South Carolina, though it remains unclear how many tornadoes were confirmed in the wake of Helene’s fury. Over the coming days, survey teams will inspect the damage and determine the specifics.
Clean-Up in Progress
Despite the chaos, crews were already hard at work by Friday afternoon. In Beaufort County, teams focused on removing debris, clearing fallen limbs, and restoring power to affected neighborhoods. However, it was announced that sections of May River Road, specifically between Buckwalter Parkway and Old Miller Road, would remain closed for an extended period due to hazardous downed power lines and trees. Debbie Szpanka, spokesperson for the Town of Bluffton, confirmed that Dominion Energy is systematically addressing the repairs.
Emergency Services Rise to the Challenge
It’s no surprise that the local fire departments were swamped with calls, with the Bluffton Township Fire District indicating extensive storm damage. Over a 12-hour period, they responded to an astonishing 130 emergency calls, a number that far exceeded the demands during Hurricane Matthew. Their counterparts in Hilton Head Island reported dealing with 35 instances of downed trees in just a few hours. Among these incidents, two trees caused damage to buildings, prompting immediate action from emergency teams.
Elsewhere on Hilton Head Island, a beach patrol truck was seen in Coligny Beach, displaying a red flag to caution visitors about the high risk of rip currents, a lingering effect from the storm. While the weather remained breezy, a determined group of beachgoers braved the conditions, navigating through piles of debris as they assessed the local damage.
Burton and Surrounding Areas Respond
In Burton, the local fire district reported responding to over 50 emergency calls, primarily related to downed wires, trees, and even electrical fires caused by exploding transformers. Tragically, firefighters had to respond to a house fire on Winsor Road, along with helping residents trapped in their homes due to fallen trees.
What’s Next?
As the community begins the long road to recovery, residents are reminded of the importance of safety. With ongoing assessments from the National Weather Service yielding reports of extensive damage including downed trees and potential tornado activity, it’s clear that the storm has left its mark. Local authorities are urging anyone with damage or concerns to provide them with information, including photos, via email.
As the sun sets on this challenging day, everyone in Beaufort County remains hopeful and resilient, ready to come together to rebuild what was lost. With community spirit and determination, Beaufort County is sure to rise strong once again.
