Aiken County Faces Long Road to Recovery After Tropical Storm Helene
Bright and sunny skies might be greeting Aiken on this crisp November day, but the community still bears the scars of Tropical Storm Helene, which left a significant mark just a few short months ago. With a high of 61°F and a gentle westward breeze, it’s hard to believe that this picturesque day contrasts sharply with the devastation that Urged through in September. Aiken is rallying together to shoulder clean-up efforts that could stretch all the way until March 2025!
The Numbers Tell a Story
As of November 18, the statistics are striking. A whopping 27,193 cubic yards of solid waste has been collected, amounting to about 577 truckloads of debris. This huge clean-up operation has been led by County Administrator Brian Sanders, who communicated with locals recently to shed light on where things stand. “The best estimate we can give at the moment is that we are anticipating the cleanup to take another four months,” he noted. With the progress being made so far, it’s clear that the storm has posed one enormous hurdle for the county.
Phased Cleanup Process
Sanders broke down the clean-up into phases, making it easier for residents to grasp just how extensive the effort is. Phase 1, called ‘The Push’, was all about clearing debris off public roads that were blocked or made unsafe for vehicle traffic. That phase was wrapped up about ten days post-storm. “Some trees wrapped up in power lines took a bit longer due to the need for utility companies to handle them,” he explained.
Currently, Phase 2 is in full swing, which focuses on removing the remaining debris piled along public roads and final disposal. This phase is ongoing and quite crucial to getting Aiken back on its feet.
Partnerships for Progress
Aiken County has partnered with Southern Disaster Recovery (SDR) for clean-up efforts, and they’re also operating in the cities of Aiken and North Augusta. Additionally, Tetra Tech is on board, monitoring the whole process to ensure compliance with FEMA for cost reimbursement. “Right now, we have 28 units (crews) out there working for the Aiken County, North Augusta, and Aiken joint effort,” Sanders noted. The recruitment for new subcontractors is ongoing with hopes of bolstering the number of workers soon after Thanksgiving.
Challenges Ahead
However, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. With extensive damage across the Southeast, SDR has struggled to find subcontractors. “They’re competing with other counties, cities, and states, which have all been affected,” Sanders mentioned, shedding light on the ongoing challenge. Notably, the participation of subcontractors in Aiken is less than during the icy 2014 storm cleanup, leaving everyone feeling the weight of the task ahead.
Working Together
Aiken’s local government isn’t leaving any stone unturned. Representatives from the county, the cities of Aiken and North Augusta, SDR, and Tetra Tech meet weekly to ensure efficient and coordinated efforts throughout the cleanup process. The strategy is clear: “We will have SDR perform one comprehensive pass for everyone before considering any second passes,” Sanders shared.
Residents are being urged to help by getting debris to the roadside as quickly as possible. This collaborative effort will make things easier for everyone involved!
On another note, the S.C. Department of Transportation has its cleanup operation underway, using different contractors for state-owned roads. Their efforts are running parallel but separate from the county and cities’ operations.
What’s Next?
While sunny days are tempting Aiken to forget the chaos of Tropical Storm Helene, the road to recovery is still forming. The community is coming together, and with ongoing efforts and a little patience, we can look forward to a cleaner, brighter Aiken in the coming months. Let’s keep rooting for our neighbors and those hard at work to restore our beloved city!
