Greenville Faces Long Road to Recovery After Tropical Storm Helene
Just a week after the devastating effects of Tropical Storm Helene, residents of Greenville County, South Carolina, are still coming to grips with the storm’s aftermath. Among those deeply affected is Frank Nicolette, owner of the beloved Big Bear Trading Post, who saw his business and home inundated with water as the storm swept through the area.
The day started like any other for Nicolette. After staying awake all night to track the storm, he finally decided to catch some sleep around 7 a.m. But when he awoke later, he was met with a startling reality. His home was submerged beneath three feet of water. “I thought the worst was over,” Nicolette recounted, his voice filled with disbelief. “I stepped out of bed and it was like stepping into a lake.”
Helene, marking a significant moment in South Carolina’s weather history, unleashed a staggering 40 trillion gallons of water across the Southeast, which led to catastrophic flooding and power outages affecting over a million people. Nicknamed the costliest storm in U.S. history, the cleanup costs are estimated to reach around $160 billion. Governor Henry McMaster remarked, “The Upstate has likely not seen anything quite like this, if ever.”
Tragedy Strikes the Community
While Greenville County felt the impact, nearby areas like North Carolina faced even steeper challenges, with towns like Asheville facing severe flooding and at least 97 fatalities reported statewide. Back in Slater-Marietta, where Nicolette’s store is located, many homes remain inaccessible due to fallen trees blocking roads. For residents, the situation has been dire, particularly those relying on wells for water, which became useless when the power went out.
As news filtered in about the storm’s destruction, fire chief Shane Walton expressed feelings of helplessness, which were echoed within the community. “It felt absolutely helpless,” he said, as many residents couldn’t simply stroll down the street for assistance. On the contrary, they had to confront the reality of isolation, and the disaster that seemed almost unimaginable.
Community Resilience in Action
Despite the overwhelming sense of despair, community resilience shone through as various local organizations and volunteers sprang into action. The Charleston fire crew and the South Carolina Baptist Disaster Relief teams quickly mobilized to provide assistance. With lanes blocked and resources scarce, support stations were set up at different fire departments, illustrating how neighbors banded together to weather the storm.
“When there’s an actual disaster, people will do whatever they can to help their neighbors out,” said Pastor Brian Spearman of Marietta First Baptist Church. As the pastor shared his account of community efforts, his voice trembled with emotion. “We handed out 250 cheeseburgers and plastic water bottles just days after Helene hit,” he recalled. “We had so much food; we can feed people for at least a week.”
The Recovery Journey Begins for Nicolette
Amidst the chaotic aftermath, Nicolette stood in the doorway of his devastated store, trying to navigate the Federal Emergency Management Agency application process. He’s not just dealing with the sadness of his loss; he’s also facing the daunting task of recovery. “How long do you think it’ll take to bounce back from all of this?” he wondered, gazing at the muddy remnants of his shop.
Originally from Wisconsin, Nicolette carved out a life in South Carolina running a unique roadside shop filled with handmade wooden carvings—a life that may now be in jeopardy. “I never thought I’d end up facing something like this,” he mused.
Throughout the storm’s aftermath, Nicolette is digging deep into his community ties. Local residents have stopped by to check on him, and one even handed him $300. However, it’s the physical task of cleaning and restoring that weighs heavily on him. “I’ve got to figure out what’s next,” he said. “I have to get this place back in some sort of order.”
Looking Ahead
As residents like Nicolette push their hearts toward recovery, it’s a reminder of the strength found within the community. While there’s no blueprint for dealing with such profound loss, people are banding together to heal. And in a twist of irony, for Nicolette, who had plans to leave South Carolina for the warm embrace of Ecuador, now finds himself rooted here in the thick of rebuilding.
The journey to recovery may be long and challenging, but as Nicolette and his neighbors rise to the occasion, it’s evident that community spirit is indeed the light shining through the storm’s lingering shadows.
