Still in Recovery Mode from Recent 2024 Storms, Helene Shows No Mercy to Bamberg County

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

To: News Media

From: Bamberg County Administration

Date: October 3, 2024

Re: Still in Recovery Mode from Recent 2024 Storms, Helene Shows No Mercy to Bamberg County

Bamberg, South Carolina (October 2024) – As the result of historic and volatile changes in climate, Bamberg County has once again experienced massive devastation and destruction. Less than two months after unprecedented flooding from Tropical Storm Debby and eight months after being pummeled by a Category EF-2 tornado, Bamberg County finds itself in survival and recovery mode again in the wake of last week’s Tropical Storm Helene.

After landing as a Category 4 Hurricane along Florida’s Big Bend Coast late last Thursday night, then downgrading to a tropical storm, Helene traveled north through Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The storm spawned an EF-1 tornado with 90 mph winds in Ehrhardt and dumped heavy rains across Bamberg County, which caused massive flooding, power outages, and property damage. Downed trees and flooding made several major roads impassable, including Highway 301. Helene is the second deadliest mainland U.S. hurricane in fifty years and has a current death toll of nearly 200, about a quarter of whom are South Carolinians.

County officials, nearby energy companies, local first responders, volunteers, and even workers from as far away as Alabama united to protect citizens during the storm and continue what will surely be a long recovery effort. Progress has been made, however. More than 70% of reported power outages have been restored, and several roads across Bamberg County have been re-opened.

The Bamberg County Landfill and all area LAD sites are now open during normal business hours. Additionally, the County has opened a dedicated tree debris drop-off location at Slow Pitch Road, outside of Bamberg and off Broxton Bridge Road. On-site staff will facilitate debris disposal.

Bamberg County Operations Manager Bill Johnson stated, “I am very proud of our guys. We decided to tough it out last night and get finished. We officially cleared the last tree around 8:30 last night. We started last Friday morning as the storm was still on us, and over the course of six days, with only taking Sunday off, we cleared 253 trees from County roads. Additionally, we cleared several SCDOT roads, including two of their dirt roads, removing 13 more trees for a grand total of 266 trees. Now to rest and repair the stuff we tore up!”

“Without a doubt, this has been a challenging year for Bamberg County, but we are and will forever remain Bamberg strong and will continue to work until the job is done,” stated Bamberg County Council Chairman Evert Comer, Jr.

County Administrator Joey Preston reflected, “Our entire state and most of the Southeastern portion of the United States was hit hard by Helene. Not only must we effectively and efficiently react to storms like these, but we must continue taking proactive measures to mitigate future storms on the horizon.”

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For more information on this press release, email info@bambergcounty.sc.gov