Fountain Inn Community Update – September 30
September 30, 2024
Please see the important updates below regarding Hurricane Helene’s impacts on Fountain Inn. Please note that these are subject to change.
IF YOUR PROPERTY IS DAMAGED
Here’s what to do if your home was damaged by the storm.
It’s been several days since Helene passed through the Upstate, but devastation remains. As crews work to clean up fallen trees and downed power lines, there are also resources for home and business owners affected by storm damage.
President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration for South Carolina, which paves the way for federal assistance from the Department of Homeland Security + the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support state and local efforts.
Greenville County Emergency Management is asking citizens to report damage for a damage assessment that will be used to request federal assistance for our area.
If you were affected, here’s what you need to do:
- Take photos of all the damage and debris before cleaning up.
- Download the SC Emergency Manager App.
- Select “Tools” from the tool bar at the bottom.
- Select “Damage Assessment.”
- Fill out your information.
As you clean up, here are a few more tips:
- Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to find out what your policy covers — don’t sign any contract for repairs until an assessment is complete.
- If you need to pay for emergency repairs or supplies to protect your property, document all costs and keep your receipts.
- Gear up with sturdy shoes, long pants, long sleeves, and gloves.
- Be cautious of hazards like nails and broken glass + avoid downed power lines.
The following municipal facilities will remain closed to the public on Tuesday, October 1 due to continued interruptions to phone, internet, and power.
- Fountain Inn Activities Center (610 Fairview Street)
- Fountain Inn Municipal Court (200 Wall Street)
The following municipal facilities will open at 8:00 am on Tuesday, October 1.
- City Hall (200 N Main Street)
- Fountain Inn Finance (100 S Weston Street)
- Fountain Inn Public Works Facility (435 Telfair Street)
CITY SERVICES
Trash & Recycling: Recycling pick-up this week has been postponed. Trash pick-up will resume on Monday. Please know there will likely be a delay in some pick-ups. If your trash is not picked up on your day, please continue to leave it at the curb, and our crews will pick it up where they left off each morning.
Residential yard debris pick up has begun, but please be patient as we anticipate clean-up and recovery efforts potentially taking several weeks. Branches and limbs must be no more than 10 ft in length and no more than 8 inches in diameter. Also, yard debris must be free of other, non-organic debris (lumber, furniture, metal, etc).
Recreation & Parks: All parks are open to the public; however, recreation games, practices, and programs have been canceled for Monday and Tuesday. Be on the lookout for information regarding Youth Sports, please watch your email inbox for future updates, and our social media.
All Activities Center programming, including 55+, has been canceled for the next two weeks (through October 11) due to the facility being used to house out-of-state first responders.
The Swamp Rabbit Trail in Fountain Inn is closed. Many portions are currently impassable.
Fountain Inn Natural Gas: The Fountain Inn Natural Gas Company will only be responding to emergency service calls as we still assess damages.
POWER OUTAGES
While power is being restored slowly across the area, we have not been given a timeframe for a complete restoration. Those questions should be referred to your power company. Please note that the power companies must first assess trees entangled in power lines, so trees in those areas may take longer to remove safely.
https://www.dukeenergyupdates.com/carolinas
ROADS
Please treat all intersections with a traffic signal still out as a four-way stop.
Our major roads have been cleared of trees and significant debris. However, please pay close attention to potential safety measures such as lane closures and detours. Some of our secondary roads are still blocked with debris or trees; crews are working across the community to clear the roads. Please note that the power companies must first assess trees entangled in power lines, so those may take a little longer to remove safely.
City staff and utility workers will not remove trees from private property unless they impact power lines or public roads or are necessary to assist in an emergency response.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Our police and fire departments have been running many calls since Friday morning. Although our dispatch has been moved to a joint dispatch, our fire and police departments are running calls as usual. Please only call 911 in emergencies.
We want to thank the surrounding fire departments for their assistance. For the next few weeks, you will also see crews from as far away as Louisiana and California who have come to Fountain Inn to assist with debris clearing.
OTHER UPDATES
Find the latest from Laurens County HERE.
The American Red Cross and DSS opened a shelter at Hillcrest High School (3665 S Industrial Dr, Simpsonville, SC 29681). Please continue to check on your elderly neighbors.
Those with medical needs (electricity requirements) can call the medical needs line at 1-855-472-3432. This is a triage line for a medical needs shelter.
Please stay informed by following local news outlets and official government channels, such as the South Carolina Emergency Management Division Mobile App.
