Beaufort and Port Royal Face Ongoing Recovery Efforts After Tropical Storm Helene’s Devastation

Beaufort and Port Royal Continue to Recover from Tropical Storm Helene

Nearly two months after Tropical Storm Helene made headlines with its drastic impact on Beaufort and Port Royal, the communities are still feeling the effects. The storm, which slammed the Gulf of Mexico and made its way to South Carolina on September 27, left a trail of destruction as it screamed through the region with winds gusting up to 75 mph.

Wind and Water Wreak Havoc

While it may have been downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it reached South Carolina, Helene still had teeth. Its powerful winds and subsequent storm surge rocked docks and investment, sending boats into disarray. Everywhere you look, reminders of the storm persist as residents of both communities navigate the wreckage.

Cleanup has been ongoing, but totals indicate the financial hit is nothing to laugh at. Damage estimates have exceeded $400,000 for public facilities alone. Linda Roper, director of Beaufort’s Downtown Operations and Community Services, revealed that damage to the city’s dinghy dock and nearby marina was pegged at around $300,000. In fact, a staggering $200,000 of that figure accounts for destruction to the dinghy dock, which lost a significant section. Some of the floats that anchored the dock were damaged beyond repair, and replacement plans are in limbo while the city awaits insurance outcomes.

Marina and Dock Damage

Over at the marina, the fallout from Helene continues to be felt. The winds and tides twisted the docks, leading to an estimated $100,000 in damage. Roper reported that the “H dock” was fully lost in the storm, with the gangway spectacularly falling into the water. Thankfully, that has been replaced. However, the fate of the longer “D dock” remains undecided as city leaders mull its future.

Additionally, in a rather unfortunate twist, nine boats moored in the Beaufort River ended up beached, with four of them still stuck on the muddy shoreline as of last week. It’s a scene that surely tugs at the heartstrings of local boaters.

Port Royal’s Battles with Helene

Shifting gears to Port Royal, the storm hit hard, washing away a significant portion of the beloved Henry Robinson Boardwalk at Sands Beach. For those who love to walk, crab, or fish, this is definitely less than ideal, as both the boardwalk and the boat ramp will remain closed until repairs can be completed.

The gateway sign leading to the boardwalk is still bent, and there’s a gaping hole where a large section of the boardwalk used to be. The total estimated cost of repairs is around $110,000, according to Town Manager Van Willis. But while the town’s workers are coordinating these repairs, they’re also embarking on an additional project: to shore up a large viewing tower that offers breathtaking views over Battery Creek and beyond. Thankfully, the tower avoided storm damage, but the town is going the extra mile to ensure its reliability, pairing this structural work with the boardwalk repairs, which will cost an added $100,000.

What’s Next?

So, when can residents expect these repairs to kick off? Work on the boardwalk and tower is anticipated to begin in just a few weeks. Hello, spring! The timeline offers a glimmer of hope as the communities of Beaufort and Port Royal continue to band together to restore their waterfronts and get back to the beach life they cherish.

As always, local updates and the ongoing recovery process will be critical to keep the communities informed and engaged as they work through the aftereffects of Tropical Storm Helene.