West Columbia Riverwalk Still Closed Months After Hurricane Helene’s Devastation

West Columbia Riverwalk Remains Closed Months After Hurricane Helene

West Columbia is still in a bit of a pickle! It’s been over two months since Hurricane Helene swept through the southeast, and the beloved Riverwalk is still off-limits to the public. An irritating fence stands as a sad reminder of the destruction that unfolded when Helene dumped an overwhelming amount of rain on us this past September. The half-mile stretch, which begins near the West Columbia Amphitheater and connects to the Cayce Riverwalk, was closed down due to extensive flood damage. While the Cayce portion welcomed visitors back last month, many are scratching their heads wondering what’s taking West Columbia so long.

Disaster Funds Awaited

City officials have shared that the delay in reopening stems from the city waiting on disaster funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to get things back up and running. These funds are essential for tackling the repairs and necessary renovations required to make the walkway safe and enjoyable once again. City spokesperson Anna Huffman disclosed that officials would be having a meeting with FEMA and the South Carolina Emergency Management later this month, though, unfortunately, this means we’re still in a holding pattern without any solid timeline for reopening.

“Right now, we’re waiting on the landscape architects’ and engineers’ estimations, along with FEMA’s site assessment,” said Huffman, noting that the timeline for reopening and costs of the damages are still up in the air.

The Aftermath of Hurricane Helene

As many of you remember, when Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc in late September, the very next day, residents began to survey the damage. There were utility crews scrambling to remove fallen trees and restore power to those left in the dark, while the Congaree River was rising alarmingly high. It peaked at 30.5 feet, causing extensive flooding of not just the Riverwalk, but across the Midlands.

Just three days after the storm, West Columbia was finally able to submit a formal request for assistance to FEMA, but they quickly learned that recovering from such a disaster isn’t a quick and easy fix. Mayor Tem Miles pointed out that “when you have extensive damage from natural disasters, you have to go through a different process.” Right now, minimal tasks, such as clearing fallen trees, have been completed, but the heavy lifting is still on hold while waiting for FEMA’s green light.

Comparing Recovery Processes

Interestingly, the pace of recovery goes to show just how different the cities of Cayce and West Columbia handle their situations. While Cayce got back on track quickly after their storm damage, reopening their section of the Riverwalk in early November, West Columbia’s repairs have been more extensive and will take longer. West Columbia hasn’t just faced minor cleanups; they’re dealing with substantial structural damage from Helene’s wrath.

Interestingly, while Cape Cayce utilized its funds to tackle repairs, West Columbia is clearly in a tight spot as it waits on FEMA. In previous flooding incidents—like the one in 2015—West Columbia could lean on FEMA funding. But as Mayor Miles says, “It’s such an important part of our recreation and who we are as a city,” highlighting the need to focus on getting things back to normal.

Looking Ahead

With the city planning to meet with FEMA soon, the hope is that we’ll finally get a clearer understanding of when residents can stroll along the West Columbia Riverwalk once again. This trail is not just a walking path; it’s a community hub, a place for relaxation and recreation that many citizens miss dearly. Everyone is crossing their fingers for updates soon, so we can plan those beautiful sunset walks back along the water!

So, West Columbia, hang tight! We know this wait is frustrating, but city officials are working diligently to get us back to enjoying the views along our cherished Riverwalk.