Recovery Efforts Continue in the Upstate Following Hurricane Helene
Greenville, SC – As the Upstate recovers from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene, many residents are still facing challenges. As of the afternoon of October 3, about 225,000 customers are without power in the area, particularly concentrated in the cities of Greenville and Spartanburg, and the northern parts of both counties.
Power Outages and Restoration Efforts
The hurricane severely damaged the energy transmission system, with Duke Energy, the largest power provider in the Upstate, announcing that significant rebuilding is necessary in the hardest-hit areas before power can be restored. Duke Energy expects that most South Carolina customers who are currently without electricity will have their service reinstated by Friday, October 4.
For those looking for more details about outages, there are detailed outage maps available for all Upstate electricity providers.
Community Support and Resources
The Upstate community is stepping up with various resources to help those affected by the storm. Feed & Seed Co., located at 701 Easley Bridge Road in Greenville, will be serving free lunches to the community on October 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., or until they run out of food.
The Greenville Chamber of Commerce is offering its office as a temporary workspace. This service is available through October 4, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., but reservations are required via email at info@greenvillechamber.org.
Walmart Greenville on Woodruff Road (1451 Woodruff Road) also has facilities set up in the parking lot, where customers can access free portable showers, restrooms, washers, and dryers.
Additionally, Judson Mill is acting as a hospitality shelter until October 2, offering coffee, water, juices, and access to WiFi from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for those needing assistance.
School Closures and Transportation Updates
In light of the ongoing situation, several educational institutions have canceled classes and activities. Greenville County Schools has canceled all classes through October 6, while Greenville Technical College will remain closed until October 7.
Anderson University has followed suit with similar cancellations, whereas Clemson University reopened on October 1, and Bob Jones University resumed operations on October 2.
Drivers in the area facing issues on roads maintained by the South Carolina Department of Transportation are encouraged to call 855-467-2368. Residents in the city of Greenville can report downed trees by calling 864-467-4335. Traffic signals remain nonoperational in several areas, so the Greenville City Police Department advises drivers to stay off the roads unless necessary and treat nonfunctional traffic lights as stop signs.
Shelters and Medical Assistance
For residents needing shelter, the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium at 385 N. Church St., Spartanburg, is offering food, water, beds, and charging stations. Pets are also allowed in this shelter. Additionally, Hillcrest High School in Simpsonville is open for those without medical needs, while a Medical Needs Shelter is available at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena for those with electricity-dependent medical requirements. Individuals can call the S.C. Department of Public Health Medical Needs Line at 1-855-472-3432 for more information.
Greenlink is also providing limited transit services due to road conditions, with updates available on their website.
State Assistance and Safety Information
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster held a media briefing on September 30, reporting that the hurricane has caused 29 storm-related deaths across the state. Andrew Bateman from the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff highlighted that the counties most affected by power outages include Greenville, with over 200,000 outages, Spartanburg (over 154,000), and Anderson (over 72,000).
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved individual and public assistance for affected counties including Greenville, Anderson, Pickens, Spartanburg, and Oconee. This assistance includes support for residents with uninsured property damage and for emergency protective measures and debris removal.
As the Upstate community continues to rally around each other during this trying time, many residents are encouraged to stay informed and utilize available resources.
