Laurens County Recovery Progress Following Hurricane Helene
October 10, 2024
Laurens County is nearing the final stages of recovery after Hurricane Helene. As of Wednesday afternoon, only 2% of residents remained without power, and the Points of Distribution (PODs) closed by 7 PM. The Ridge shelter will close at noon today (Thursday), and the county will shift to OPCON 3, normal operations. Full response operations, including the PIP phone lines, are expected to conclude by the end of business on Friday.
County Administrator Thomas Higgs expressed gratitude for reaching this stage and highlighted the hard work of both county staff and local citizens. “We are incredibly thankful for the progress we’ve made, and I deeply appreciate the tireless efforts of our Laurens County staff and the community. The way everyone has come together to support their neighbors has been inspiring.”
Key updates include:
- Energy: Power outages are down to 2%, with full restoration expected soon.
- Food, Hydration, and Shelter: With fewer residents in need, the PODs have closed, and The Ridge shelter will follow by noon today.
- Roadways: Debris cleanup continues, with a few roads still partially obstructed.
- Medical Services, Water Systems, Communications: Fully operational.
Residents are encouraged to follow local updates on FEMA services, road closures, and cleanup efforts through social media and official channels.
