Greenville County officials give storm recovery update; urges the public to stay off the roads; stop hoarding gas

By Local Contributor

Greenville Sheriff Hobart Lewis said during a Sunday afternoon press conference that Greenville county is not experiencing food or fuel shortages. All resupply routes to the Upstate are open. Fuel is being supplied to gas stations daily, but he strongly urged the public to not take an excessive amount of food or fuel so that all have access to it, including power crews who need fuel while working hard to repair power lines. Greenville County Emergency Management officials are asking residents to stay home, check on neighbors and let utility workers and tree crews do their job. “There is no need to panic,” Lewis said. “It is going to require sacrifice, and we need the community’s help with that.”

Click on the images below for a better look.

Greenville County EMS Director Tom Blackwell reported a record number of calls, in excess 2100 calls, to emergency services over the past three days. He stressed that calls only be made to 911 for life-threatening emergencies. Greenville County Emergency Management has opened a telephone line for residents who have non-emergency needs. That number is 864-467-3428. Sheriff Lewis said there are no reported incidents of looting. He asked residents to be aware of post-disaster service providers, who often will ask for cash in advance and are unqualified to complete work. A Medical Needs Shelter is open at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena for those who have electricity dependent medical needs along with their caregivers. If you are not sure if you need a Medical Needs shelter, you can call SCDPH Medical Needs Line 1-855-472-3432.

Tom Blackwell, Executive Director for Greenville County EMS said, “we’ve experienced an unprecedented call volume. We have had 350 incidents today 560 last night and on Friday night, over 1100 calls. We have assistance from other counties across South Carolina and are meeting the challenge of the call volume escalations with only some small delays. One of EMS’s highest call volume is residents who have oxygen concentrators and need power for their equipment. EMS is encouraging those callers to find a family member, find a neighbor or friend to take them to a shelter that has power.

According to Gregory Farley, Fire Chief of Parker Fire District, “we are waiting for support from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), who are currently on their way from California.”  The city said close to 2,000 additional Duke Energy workers have arrived in Greenville to repair significant damage to infrastructure (poles and wires) that must be restored before neighborhoods and businesses can have power. Haywood Mall is a staging area for the utility workers.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster is traveling to the Upstate today, Sunday, Sept 29 to access the damage. Greenville County Schools will be closed on Monday, September 30, and Tuesday, October 1, and once they have better estimates of when power and internet will be restored, they will announce plans for school Wednesday.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster visited Greenville Sunday, Sept 29 to assess the damage, and he also held a press conference after he toured the area.

To watch the Governor’s press conference, visit https://www.facebook.com/cityofgreenvillesc/videos/2198530227198148.

Video from City of Greenville of the damage on Sept 28, 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUsArs9yuk8

Video from Press conference on Sept 29, 2024: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/89AoBucHCgrU1SVS/