Greenwood Community Unites Amidst Devastation from Hurricane Helene

Greenwood Faces Extensive Damage Following Hurricane Helene

If you take a drive through northern Greenwood County, you’ll immediately see the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which swept through the area late last week. The storm left behind a trail of devastation, with power lines tangled in tree branches and roads blocked, causing significant damage to homes and leaving the community asking when life might return to normal.

The storm hit on Thursday night and into Friday morning. Since then, crews have been working around the clock to clean up the main roads and get essential businesses back up and running. However, the extensive damage on the north side of Greenwood County is making it difficult for them to restore services quickly.

Community Spirit Shines Through

Despite the challenges, there’s a sense of camaraderie that has emerged in the hardest-hit neighborhoods. Nate Kirkland, a Forest Hills resident, summed it up best: “Greenwood wasn’t prepared for this.” He and his daughter, Elly, were among many who rolled up their sleeves to clear debris from their property and help their neighbors.

The scene in Forest Hills, along with nearby neighborhoods like Cherokee Hills, Creekside, and Wellington Green, is shocking. Fallen trees and power lines are a common sight, and some residents believe it could be months before everything is cleared up. In the meantime, many are taking matters into their own hands, and a common theme these days is neighbors lending a helping hand—whether it’s clearing driveways or sharing generators.

Kirkland’s family is one such example. They were busy clearing paths through fallen branches at his parents’ home just down the street. “Hats off to all the linemen, the volunteer firefighters, the fire department, police, public works, everybody over there, everybody in those municipals or whatever, like, hats off to them, because they’re the ones kind of getting the town back alive,” Kirkland said. He also praised the everyday citizens and business owners who have stepped up to help.

Challenges on the Road and In Homes

Parts of West Cambridge Avenue, Grace Street, and Cokesbury Road are especially troublesome. Broken traffic lights and downed power lines add to the hazards, particularly around Greenwood High School. Drivers are cautiously making their way through intersections without working signals, and sheriff’s patrol cars are a frequent sight.

In one heartening example, over the weekend, a resident who was suffering from a lack of oxygen was saved thanks to neighbors who had cleared a path through the fallen trees, allowing emergency services to reach his home. “It’s really special to see the community come together,” the resident said, noting that many were offering their help for free.

A Long Road to Recovery

While the sense of community is strong, there is an undeniable amount of work still to be done. Power outages are widespread, and fallen trees have become makeshift trash bins. Yet, the residents of Greenwood are pulling together to navigate this challenging time. “There are people donating their blood and sweat to help people out, help their neighbor out. I just think it really shows that Greenwood is a great place to live,” Kirkland added.

The road to recovery may be long, but the strong community spirit gives hope that Greenwood will bounce back, stronger than ever.