Officials, Volunteers Rallying to Put County Back Together
Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
It has been more than two days after Tropical Storm Helene slammed into Anderson County, and it is taking a coordinated effort to put all the pieces back in place. And many places will be open Monday to help.
The first job at hand is finding all the broken pieces. At least 80,000 residences in the county are still without electricity. There have been more than 600 official reports of downed trees (and hundreds more likely yet to be reported),
Trees lying across power lines remain among the greatest hazards, and many reports of motorists driving across downed live wires have officials concerned.
As of Sunday afternoon, 150 roads remain closed from the storm, which has had a far greater impact on the entire county than any other in history.
“It has touched every inch of Anderson County,” said Administrator Rusty Burns, who has traversed most of the county to help assess the damage.
Emergency response teams from the South Carolina coast and the Midlands have called on Anderson County during their times of crisis, and have shown up in force to return the favor.
They have been joined by crews from other states who have joined efforts with county employees and the National Guard to put the pieces back in place.
Officials say it will likely be weeks before things are back to near normal.
Meanwhile, members of the Anderson County community have stepped up to provide hot meals, charging stations for electronics, showers and shelter for all in need.
Hope Missions of the Upstate, the official emergency shelter for the county, housed 47 folks overnight, thanks to nine volunteers who helped CEO Dave Phillips and COO Zoe Hale weather the past few days.
Welfare Baptist Church kicked things off Sunday with a free community meal with the goal of “being the church instead of having a church service.”
Other churches and groups also joined that spirit of service including, and this is not an exhaustive list, First Baptist Church of Belton, First Baptist Church of Iva, Shady Grove Baptist Church and Belton Pentecostal-Holiness Church.
The City of Belton also distributed water, in part due to boil-only water advisories caused by the storm.
Anderson School Dist. 4 is making the following schools accessible on Monday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. to access charging stations and provide a meal from noon-1 p.m.:
Mount Lebanon Elementary School
Pendleton High School
LaFrance Elementary School
Townville Elementary School
Also on Monday AIM is opening the United Way Financial Stability Center from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. for those needing to charge devices.
If Duke Energy projects are correct, three branches of the Anderson County Library System will have electricity and internet access restored late Sunday night.
If this projection is correct, the following libraries will be open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. for internet use and charging devices as well as most regular library services: Main Library branch (Anderson), Pendleton Library branch, and the Iva Library branch.
Dozens of other anonymous citizens have donated their time and tools to help clear roads, deliver food to shut-ins and help keep their friends and neighbors safe.
Along with emergency response teams and the National Guard, Anderson County’s Emergency Management Team, including Director Josh Hawkins and his spokesperson Shale Remien, Sheriff’s Office Capt. David Baker, Assistant Administrator (and former manager of Roads and Bridges) Matt Hogan, Administrator Rusty Burns and his assistant Seth Riddley, have worked almost non-stop since the night the storm was forecast to help identify an respond to the greatest needs.
The center is running 24/7 until the crisis abides, and that is currently nowhere in sight.
Medical needs shelters are also now in place in the county for those in crisis. Call 855-472-3432 if you are someone you know needs such services.
All other non-emergency needs should call 864-260-4444.