Forest Acres Residents Face Ongoing Cleanup Efforts After Hurricane Helene
FOREST ACRES, S.C. — The lovely residents of Forest Acres are facing a difficult cleanup situation following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. With SCDOT crews working diligently, the community is still reeling from fallen trees and debris scattered across neighborhoods. Efforts continue as many residents anxiously await assistance with debris removal from their properties.
Trees and Debris: A Community Challenge
City spokesperson Lynnsey Baker reported that the local Public Works Department has been doing its best to assist with the cleanup. The city has been able to clear a significant amount of fallen trees and debris from roads and homes. However, the challenge lies in addressing the numerous large tree trunks left behind. “We are not a tree removal company. We do not have the machinery to remove large trunks of trees, even if they’re cut to two to four feet,” Baker explained. “These are very old trees that fell, and if we were to pick some of these up, it would ruin our machinery.”
Assessing the Damage
It’s been reported that over 200 trees in the city were toppled during and after the storm, with several of these trees crashing down on homes. Even now, days after Hurricane Helene passed through, additional trees have been observed to be falling. Baker urged residents to check their properties for any leaning trees that could pose a risk. “The ground is really saturated, and with this new hurricane brewing in the Gulf, we are watching closely. Any storm with strong winds could bring down more of the damaged trees,” she warned.
Community Voices: Residents Share Experiences
The community is uniting during this challenging time, and residents are sharing their personal experiences. Harrison Lee Reeves described the moment when a large tree fell in his front yard, damaging not only his truck but also a power line. “I was inside, I heard a loud crack, bang, and I knew exactly what it was,” he recalled. Although he managed to get the tree cut down the same day, he has since been on a quest to find someone to remove the remaining trunk. “It’s been kind of a process just waiting on them to clear the rest of the debris,” he noted, mentioning that it took three days to restore his power, and he still doesn’t have Wi-Fi back. “Just working it out,” he added with a hint of resilience.
More Work Ahead
As part of the ongoing recovery efforts, SCDOT crews have been mobilized to cut down any trees that pose a danger by being too close to the roads. Meanwhile, Citadel Park remains closed due to safety concerns, as several trees in the area are leaning and could potentially fall onto the playground. The safety of the community is paramount, and officials are taking proactive measures to ensure residents are safe.
In conclusion, while the aftermath of Hurricane Helene still looms large in Forest Acres, the community is coming together to assist one another and navigate the cleanup process. With the help of city crews and residents’ perseverance, Forest Acres will undoubtedly rise from this challenge, reminding everyone of the strength and resilience of their beloved community.
As the situation evolves, local officials encourage anyone impacted to keep an eye on city communications for the latest updates on their cleanup efforts. Stay safe!
