Bright Skies Ahead for Aiken as Recovery from Tropical Storm Helene Continues

Bright Skies Ahead for Aiken as Recovery from Tropical Storm Helene Continues

Aiken, South Carolina, is on the mend after facing the fierce winds of Tropical Storm Helene. The storm hit the city on September 27, packing a punch with wind gusts that soared up to 90 mph. In an October 14 city council meeting, Aiken’s City Manager, Stuart Bedenbaugh, provided updates on the city’s ongoing recovery efforts.

The Impact of the Storm

When Tropical Storm Helene roared through Aiken, it was transitioning from hurricane strength, which certainly explained the strong winds and damage. Unfortunately, in the aftermath, the city saw fallen trees littering parks, streets, and homes. Tragically, four individuals in Aiken County lost their lives due to falling trees, highlighting the storm’s severe impact.

Following the storm, the Aiken Department of Public Safety recorded a staggering 67 calls related to trees on homes and another five calls from residents trapped in their houses. It’s no surprise that the storm knocked out power for a vast majority of Aiken’s residents — reports indicated that early on September 27, over 90% of Dominion Energy and Aiken Electric Cooperative customers were left in the dark.

A Community’s Resilience

Despite these challenges, Aiken residents have shown remarkable resilience. The city’s water treatment plant, located north on Columbia Highway, lost power at about 3 a.m. on storm day. However, thanks to the smart planning put in place since the 2014 ice storm, the staff was able to keep the system operational by utilizing generators. During this period, city employees logged over 646 working hours and burned through more than 3,500 gallons of fuel to ensure everyone had access to water and sewer services.

City Cleanup in Full Swing

Clearing the streets of fallen trees was a significant task. By September 29, city staff managed to clear most of the trees blocking roadways, with only a few remaining due to their entanglement with power lines, needing specialized crews to help. Around 35 traffic lights were rendered inoperative due to fallen trees, but most have since been restored. The notable exception is the traffic light at Whiskey and Berrie roads, which needs a complete rebuild.

Temporary poles have been erected at critical intersections until permanent replacements can be installed. Digital signage has not gone unnoticed either, with staff replacing 30 visors and 23 section heads in damaged signs.

Park Updates and Next Steps

City parks had to grapple with power outages, leading to several serving as temporary shelters for downed trees. It wasn’t until October 2 that many parks reopened for community use, causing 59 rentals, 89 athletic events, and 92 programs to be affected. However, things are looking up as Aiken’s parks are gradually returning to normal, with the Rye Patch area nearly cleared and Hopelands Gardens expected to follow suit in the coming weeks.

With around 100 fallen trees at Carolina Bay, the observation deck and trails are still off-limits until repairs can be made. As for the clay tennis courts at the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center, they’ve been closed because the clay surface was washed out and will need replacement, with resurfacing set to start soon.

Looking Forward

Efforts to remove debris are ongoing, with city staff and contractors working hard to restore Aiken’s vitality following the storm. As sunny skies return and the temperature promises a high of 63°F later this week, the community is ready to embrace the warm days ahead while continuing to recover and rebuild.

With each passing day, Aiken demonstrates both the strength and unity of its residents, rallying together during this challenging recovery phase and ensuring that brighter days are just around the corner.