Aiken County Residents Face Cleanup and Recovery After Hurricane Helene

Aiken County Residents Face Cleanup and Recovery After Hurricane Helene

Good morning, Aiken! It’s a mixed bag of sunshine and clouds today as we begin to pick up the pieces after Hurricane Helene swept through our community. With temperatures expected to reach a warm 84°F and a light chance of rain, today feels almost like a final farewell to summer. The winds are mild, blowing from the southwest at about 5 to 10 mph, making it a great day to be outside—if you can do so safely!

Staying Safe on the Roads

As we know from past storms, it’s really important to stay cautious out there. The Aiken County Department of Emergency Management has advised residents to limit their time on the roads unless absolutely necessary. Crews from Aiken County Public Works, the South Carolina Department of Transportation, and the National Guard are all busy clearing debris and restoring power—thank you for your hard work!

If you must venture out, keep in mind that many traffic signals are still down due to ongoing power outages. Please treat intersections without power like a four-way stop. It’s crucial that we all work together to keep our roads safe during this challenging time.

Power Outages and Reporting Issues

Speaking of challenges, many residents are still facing power outages. If your lights aren’t on yet, you can report the outage to Dominion at 888-333-4465 or Aiken Electric Co-op at 877-264-5368. For those still without power, officials recommend switching off the main power box at your home. This will assist the crews who are out there focused on removing trees from those tangled power lines.

Assistance for Cleanup

Looking for help? If you need assistance with tree removal or tarping your home, don’t hesitate to call Crisis Cleanup at 844-965-1386. Aiken officials have also temporarily lifted restrictions on yard debris size for the city’s collection program, but if you can, please ensure that any limbs or tree trunks are cut into sections of six feet or less for easier collection.

Healthcare and Safety Tips

For residents with medical needs, the state Department of Public Health has a Careline you can reach at 855-472-3432. Remember to stay safe if you’re using candles for light—be sure they’re in secure holders and away from anything that could catch fire. It’s a good idea to never leave lit candles unattended.

Drop Off Centers and Landfills Open

The Aiken County Drop Off Centers are open during regular business hours but are currently only taking yard debris due to the ongoing power issues. The Barden Landfill is also operating on its normal schedule from Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Wagener Landfill is open on Wednesdays from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Let’s all do our part to keep our community clean!

Community Support and Resources

If anyone is in need of shelter, the American Red Cross has opened a regional Community Shelter in North Augusta at Merriweather Elementary School, serving those from Aiken, Edgefield, and North Augusta. And for those who need water to flush toilets, the New Holland Volunteer Fire Department is providing non-potable well water on Old Nintysix Indian Trail—just make sure to avoid blocking the driveway.

In the Windsor area, the Windsor Volunteer Fire/Rescue team is helping horse owners by bringing out water for their animals. Remember, if you encounter emergencies, please use 911 only for urgent matters and reach out to 211 for non-emergency needs.

Moving Forward Together

As the cleanup process gets underway, let’s remember to support one another, Aiken! We’re all in this together, and every little effort counts as we work to restore our beautiful community. Stay safe, and keep your spirits up!