Report to Laurens County Council: County Administrator Reflects on Hurricane Helene’s Impact and Community Resilience

At the recent meeting of the Laurens County Council on October 29, County Administrator Thomas Higgs addressed the profound impact of Hurricane Helene on the community, highlighting the significant challenges faced and the remarkable spirit of resilience displayed by residents and county employees.

The Storm’s Unexpected Severity

“Approximately a month ago, Laurens County had its world turned upside down,” Higgs began, emphasizing the unexpected severity of the storm. Many residents went to sleep anticipating a typical hurricane with minimal disruption, only to wake up to the harsh reality of Category 2 hurricane conditions. The storm brought devastating winds that, combined with already saturated ground, resulted in widespread downed trees and infrastructure damage.

Summary of Impacts
The storm’s impact was extensive, with approximately 593 homes affected. Tragically, 43 homes were completely destroyed, and an additional 200 suffered major damage. The county faced significant infrastructure challenges as roads became impassable, power was lost, and cell services—including those prioritized for first responders—failed, leading to intermittent 911 services. Unfortunately, the community also faced the heartbreaking loss of life.

Community Response and Resilience
Higgs emphasized the immediate response from neighbors helping neighbors and the dedicated efforts of county employees, many of whom were victims of the storm themselves. First responders managed life safety calls during the storm and in the aftermath, while the County Roads and Bridges and Parks and Recreation Departments worked tirelessly to clear approximately 400 roads. Deputies used chainsaws to assist in road clearance, and other county staff engaged in damage assessment to secure a FEMA declaration that Laurens County had initially been excluded from.

Support from Elected Officials
Higgs commended the National Guard for establishing points of distribution (PODs) for food and water, and county employees ensured that those unable to access the PODs received necessary supplies. Despite the challenges, including being overlooked in the initial FEMA declaration and SNAP benefits list, Higgs expressed gratitude for the support received from local elected officials. Senator Danny Verdin, Representative Doug Gilliam, and US Congressman Jeff Duncan were instrumental in advocating for the needs of Laurens County residents, demonstrating strong leadership during the emergency.

Request for Continued Support
“The span of control within incident management is a vital aspect of effective response,” Higgs noted, praising the Laurens County Council for passing an emergency ordinance that enabled swift action from the administration. He requested the Council to consider a 60-day extension of this ordinance to facilitate continued recovery efforts, which have already resulted in damage assessments totaling approximately $24 million. The 60-day extension was approved by Council.

In closing, Higgs reflected on the community’s resilience, stating, “We are tremendously blessed. The lights are on, the showers and food are warm, and we have each other.” He urged the community to maintain the strong sense of unity they have demonstrated during this challenging time as they prepare for future challenges.