Greenville Faces Cleanup Challenges in Wake of Tropical Storm Helene
Greenville, SC – The clouds have shifted over Greenville this week. While some folks are enjoying pockets of sunshine, remnants of Tropical Storm Helene from September 27th still linger in the form of debris scattered along streets and public parks. Yes, the cleanup appears to be a major task, one that could take quite a bit of time to resolve.
From Chaos to Cleanup
After winds reaching up to 64 mph wreaked havoc across the Upstate, the sound of chainsaws and the sight of downed trees became a familiar scene. Just ask anyone who strolled along Green Avenue next to the tennis courts at Greenville High School on October 8th! Trees were uprooted, power lines were down, and debris was everywhere. The impact? It kept students and staff out of schools for over a week!
Fast forward to today, and we’re still seeing the effects of that storm. Over a month later, crews all over the Midlands are tirelessly working to clear away the mountain of storm debris left behind. From city employees to private contractors, everyone’s pitching in, but city officials say they’re bracing for a long haul before every last branch and limb is collected.
A Team Effort
In the heart of Columbia, solid waste crews have rolled up their sleeves and rallied to take on the cleanup. About 60 to 70 sanitation workers are on the front lines, hustling six days a week to tackle the heavy lifting, assisted by various other city departments. Samantha Yager, Columbia’s Solid Waste Superintendent, has her hands full but remains optimistic. “Each storm leaves us with a unique set of challenges,” she said. “What matters is having the right people in place to get the job done!”
But Columbia isn’t the only city attempting to regain normalcy. In Forest Acres, city staff teamed up with state Department of Transportation workers to tackle the biggest trees and limbs obstructing roads, while others collected yard debris left behind on curbs. Together, they’re making strides, albeit slowly.
Lexington County’s Approach
Neighboring Lexington County has taken a different approach. Instead of city staff, residents have been given the option to drop off their storm debris at designated sites after finding out that their own maintenance crews lacked the manpower for pickup. Director Lee McIntyre noted that the county is on the lookout for contractors to assist in clearing maintained roads but is facing stiff competition with demand.
Almost 2,700 tons of storm debris have already piled into the Lexington County landfill, making it the largest amount recorded over the past 11 years. McIntyre remarked, “This is unprecedented in my tenure here. The volume we’re handling is staggering!”
Different Storm, Different Mess
It’s interesting to note how this storm differs from past disasters. While many may remember the 2015 flood that wasted countless structures, the aftermath of Helene largely consists of trees and vegetation. “Every storm is different,” Yager explained. “What we’re facing this time is mostly raw nature.”
Columbia’s cleanup crew has managed to haul off approximately 25,000 cubic yards of material; that’s around 675,000 cubic feet of debris! While they’re nearing the finish line in many areas, there are still significant piles awaiting attention across the city.
Looking Ahead
With leaf season just around the corner, cleaning up after Helene coincidentally aligns with the beginning of a heavier workload. It might seem like a dilemma, but fortunately, crews were already prepared for the extra tasks, having budgeted funds for more overtime pay this season.
In summary, while progress is being made in cleaning up after Tropical Storm Helene, residents can expect this process to take several months before everything is back to normal. But with dedicated teams working diligently, there’s no doubt that Greenville and its surrounding communities will rise from this chaos stronger than ever!
