Laurens County Recovery Efforts Continue After Historic Storm
October 2, 2024
The aftermath of Hurricane Helene has prompted an unprecedented response effort in Laurens County. As the county transitions from rescue operations to the recovery phase, local and state officials are working around the clock to provide essential resources to residents in need.
Today, a Point of Distribution (POD) site was made operational at 105 Bolt Drive, offering vital supplies such as water, MREs, and tarps (for roof damage) from 10 AM to 5 PM daily, while supplies last. Additional POD locations in Clinton and Waterloo are in the works, with details on operations and locations forthcoming.
County Administrator Thomas Higgs, along with members of the state emergency management team and the National Guard, conducted an aerial assessment of the damage early this morning. The helicopter tour, which covered half of the county, revealed extensive destruction, especially in rural areas where dense tree canopies have added to the complexity of the damage. Higgs later landed at the Greenville Downtown Airport to meet with Governor McMaster before the governor met with President Biden, who made a stop in the Upstate as part of his tour of the storm’s devastated areas.
State and federal representatives, including Congressman Jeff Duncan, Senator Lindsey Graham, and the President of FEMA, were also present, ensuring that relief efforts will be coordinated and fully supported. According to officials, FEMA relief is on the way, and there is a commitment to securing financial aid for the hardest-hit areas.
Higgs also toured Clinton, Joanna, and the Lydia Mill area, noting the severe impact in these rural but densely populated communities. Roads and bridges crews have confirmed that every isolated part of the county has been reached, ensuring that residents are safe and accounted for, with damage assessments and welfare checks continuing.
The focus now is on recovery.
Higgs stressed the importance of strategic planning, with additional POD sites to be staffed based on community needs. As part of the ongoing effort, residents who cannot access PODs are encouraged to use phone lines to request deliveries. Requests for assistance can be emailed to [email protected], or residents can call the following information lines: 864-681-2176, 864-681-2177, or 864-681-2178.
Higgs emphasized the importance of continuing community-driven relief efforts. Local businesses have opened their doors for residents to charge phones and escape the heat, while churches and restaurants are providing meals to neighbors in need and lineman working in the area. “This is the spirit of Laurens County,” Higgs remarked. “Neighbors helping neighbors.”
As for the next steps in the recovery process, debris removal is a key focus, and county officials are working with state counterparts to determine the best resources for handling it. Higgs acknowledged the frustration some may feel regarding the FEMA process but reassured residents that Laurens County will be approved for relief.
Higgs and his team of dedicated county employees have been working around the clock since the storm hit. Each day begins with a local update at 8 AM, followed by state emergency management briefings and planning sessions, ensuring a coordinated response. “While there’s a lot of Monday morning quarterbacking going on, our priority right now is the humanitarian effort,” Higgs said. “We have to keep that as our focus.”
Higgs, who hasn’t been home since the storm struck, is leading Laurens County through one of its most challenging periods. He noted that no one could have anticipated the strength of Hurricane Helene, but his team is writing the playbook for how to respond to such an event—day by day, step by step.
For now, residents are urged to exercise caution on roads, avoid secondary routes that may still be blocked, and rely on main highways when traveling. Higgs emphasized that the county’s response efforts will continue, with updates provided regularly to keep the community informed and engaged in the recovery process.
