Disaster Recovery Center Opens in Laurens County to Assist Hurricane Helene Survivors
October 16, 2024
Laurens County residents impacted by Hurricane Helene now have access to in-person assistance at a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) located at the Laurens County Public Library (1017 W. Main St.,…
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Upstate Pregnancy Center Expands Diaper Drive-Thru Event on October 15 to Support Families Impacted by Hurricane Helene
October 14, 2024
In response to the growing needs of families affected by Hurricane Helene, the Upstate Pregnancy Center has added a second Diaper Drive-Thru event in Laurens. The additional event will take…
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Two Earthquakes Recorded Just Days Apart in Laurens and Greenwood Counties
October 13, 2024
In the early morning of October 11, 2024, a 2.3 magnitude earthquake struck Laurens County, South Carolina, at 1:19 a.m. The quake’s epicenter was located about 5 miles north of…
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Laurens Electric Powers Through Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts
October 11, 2024
It’s been a long and challenging two weeks since Hurricane Helene tore through the Upstate of South Carolina, leaving behind a trail of devastation and widespread power outages. But through…
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Minor Earthquake Shakes Part of Laurens County
October 11, 2024
In the early morning of October 11, 2024, a 2.3 magnitude earthquake struck Laurens County, South Carolina, at 1:19 a.m. The quake’s epicenter was located about 5 miles north of…
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Understanding Your FEMA Determination Letter for Hurricane Helene in South Carolina
October 11, 2024
If you applied for FEMA assistance after Hurricane Helene, you will receive a determination letter from FEMA in the mail or by email. The letter will explain your application status…
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Team South Carolina County Day to be Held in Clinton to Assist Laurens County Residents Impacted by Hurricane Helene
October 10, 2024
Residents of Laurens County will have the opportunity to access disaster relief resources and support services at the upcoming Team South Carolina County Day in Clinton. The event, which will…
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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…
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SC Forestry Commission Offers Landowner Guidance Following Hurricane Helene
October 8, 2024
Hurricane Helene recently swept through South Carolina and other southern states, leaving significant damage in its wake. After addressing immediate needs for safety and well-being, many landowners are left wondering…
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FEMA Provides Disaster Assistance at The Ridge in Laurens Today and Tomorrow
October 8, 2024
The FEMA Disaster Assistance Station is open today, Tuesday, October 8, and will return on Wednesday, October 9, at The Ridge, located at 301 Exchange Rd, Laurens, to offer support…
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October 7 Update on Laurens County’s Recovery from Hurricane Helene
October 7, 2024
Laurens County continues to make significant progress in its recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. The county’s color-coded status system reflects the current conditions and ongoing challenges, with some sectors showing…
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The Psychological Toll of Recovery from Major Storms: Navigating the Emotional Aftermath of Hurricane Helene
October 7, 2024
By Staff Reporter Major storms like Hurricane Helene, can wreak havoc on communities, leaving behind not only physical destruction but also profound psychological effects on individuals and families. The aftermath…
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Upstate Pregnancy Center Expands Monthly Diaper Drive-Thru to Meet Increased Demand After Hurricane Helene
October 7, 2024
In response to the growing needs of families impacted by Hurricane Helene, the Upstate Pregnancy Center is expanding its monthly Diaper Drive-Thru event in Laurens. Originally scheduled for Tuesday, October…
Read MorePosted in: laurenscountybuzz Category: headlines, non-profit, on-the-move
FEMA Provides Disaster Assistance at The Ridge in Laurens Today – What You Need to Know
October 7, 2024
By Staff Reporter The FEMA Disaster Assistance Station is open today at The Ridge, located at 301 Exchange Rd, Laurens, to offer support to residents affected by Hurricane Helene. Brenda…
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Laurens Electric Monday Morning Power Restoration Update
October 7, 2024
As of Monday at 8:00 a.m., 6,105 of our members (or 9%) remain without power. We are in the most difficult and time-consuming phase of the restoration process. Although crews…
Read MorePosted in: laurenscountybuzz Category: headlines, on-the-move, utilities
Laurens Electric Sunday Evening Update
October 6, 2024
As of Sunday at 8:00 p.m., 6,849 of our members (or 10%) of our members remain without power. We are in the most difficult phase of the rebuilding and restoration…
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Status Update on Laurens County Recovery from Hurricane Helene
October 6, 2024
As of October 6, Laurens County continues its recovery efforts from the impacts of Hurricane Helene, with various aspects of community infrastructure returning to stability. County Administrator Thomas Higgs provided…
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South Carolina Extends Voter Registration Deadline Due to Historic Storm
October 6, 2024
South Carolina citizens now have additional time to register to vote ahead of the 2024 General Election, following a court order extending the voter registration deadline to Monday, October 14.…
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Hurricane Helene Cleanup Hotline Open for Assistance
October 6, 2024
Residents impacted by Hurricane Helene can now call the Hurricane Helene Cleanup Hotline at (844) 965-1386 for help with cleanup efforts. The hotline is designed to connect those in need…
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FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Team in Laurens County
October 6, 2024
A FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) team is set up at The Ridge, located at 301 Exchange Drive in Laurens. The DSA team will be available on Sunday, October 6,…
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Laurens County Issues Statement on FEMA Emergency Declaration Exclusion
October 5, 2024
Laurens, South Carolina, October 4, 2024: Since the beginning of one of the most catastrophic storms in the history of Laurens County, County staff and personnel have worked around the…
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Laurens Electric Saturday Morning Update
October 5, 2024
As of Saturday at 9:00 a.m., 12,715 members remain without power. Service has been restored to 51,151 members, representing 81% of our member-base. We are entering the most difficult phase…
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Laurens Electric Friday Morning Update
October 4, 2024
As of Friday at 8:30 a.m., 16,337 members remain without power. Service has been restored to 47,525 members, representing 75% of our member-base. All 32 substations are back online. There…
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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…
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Upstate Pregnancy Center Urgently Calls for Diaper Donations Ahead of Upcoming Drive Thru Event
October 2, 2024
The Upstate Pregnancy Center has issued an urgent call for diaper donations in preparation for its upcoming diaper drive-thru events, scheduled for Tuesday, October 8, and most likely another on…
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Laurens County Mobilizes Unified Recovery Efforts Following Devastation from Hurricane Helene
October 2, 2024
Laurens County continues to make significant strides in its storm recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene, which impacted the area on Friday. Laurens County Emergency Management remains at OPCON 1, with…
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LushAcres Fall Festival Delayed by One Week: Free Community Day This Saturday
October 2, 2024
As our community recovers from severe storm damage across the area, we’ve made the difficult decision to postpone this year’s Fall Festival, Corn Maze, and Scary Corn Maze After Dark…
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Laurens County Opens Point of Distribution for Storm Recovery Supplies
October 2, 2024
A Point of Distribution (POD) for storm recovery supplies is now open at 105 Bolt Drive in Laurens, located in the Voter Registration parking lot. The POD operates as a…
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Laurens Electric – Wednesday Morning Update
October 2, 2024
As of Wednesday at 8 a.m., power has been restored to 36,227 members, representing 57% of our member-base. 22 of 32 substations are back online. The number of broken power…
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Update From Laurens Mayor Senn – Evening of Tuesday October 1st
October 1, 2024
Here’s the latest update on our city’s post-storm recovery efforts as we work to return things to “normal.” 1) Trash Pick-Up Success: Despite storm debris along the roadsides and partial…
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National Guard Supports Laurens County in Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts
October 1, 2024
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, recovery efforts in Laurens County are ongoing, now bolstered by the support of the South Carolina Army National Guard, led by Col. William Matheny.…
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Laurens Electric – Tuesday Night Update
October 1, 2024
As of Tuesday at 8 p.m., power has been restored to 35,743 members, representing 56% of our member-base. 22 of 32 substations are back online. The number of broken power…
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Laurens Electric – Tuesday Afternoon Update
October 1, 2024
As of Tuesday at 5 P.m., power has been restored to 32,501 members, representing 51% of our member-base. 20 of 32 substations are back online. Reports we’ve received estimate transmission…
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Wind Damage from Tropical Storm Helene: Insights from the US National Weather Service – Greenville Spartanburg
October 1, 2024
In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene, many residents in the western Carolinas and northeast Georgia have reported extensive wind damage to trees, power infrastructure, and structures. The US National…
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Laurens County Launches Damage Assessment Efforts Following Severe Storm; Public Assistance and Supplies Available This Week
September 30, 2024
After working non-stop through the weekend ensuring life and safety needs were attended to, Laurens County officials, staff, and volunteers gathered today to coordinate the initial property damage assessment process…
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Laurens County Water & Sewer Commission Reassures Residents of Safe Drinking Water Post-Hurricane Helene
September 30, 2024
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, rumors have been circulating throughout the Upstate concerning the safety and availability of drinking water. The Laurens County Water & Sewer Commission (LCWSC) has…
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Navigating Intersections Safely After Hurricane Helene: Important Highway Protocol for Power Outages
September 30, 2024
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, communities across the Upstate are grappling with ongoing power outages, making it crucial to revisit some essential highway protocols for navigating intersections safely. With…
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Update from Laurens Electric: Power Restoration Progress and Duke Energy’s Estimate for Extended Repairs
September 30, 2024
As of Monday at 10 a.m., Laurens Electric Cooperative has restored power to 27,242 members, representing 43% of its member base. Crews worked tirelessly overnight, restoring power to an additional…
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Squealin’ on the Square Postponed Due to Hurricane Helene Impact
September 30, 2024
The 24th Annual Squealin’ on the Square, originally set for Friday and Saturday, October 4th and 5th, has been postponed due to the historic and lingering impact of Hurricane Helene.…
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Laurens Electric Update – Sunday Morning
September 29, 2024
Crews continued work through the night, removing and replacing broken poles and transformers and cutting trees off power lines along 7,100 miles of line in 7 counties. Another substation was…
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Gov. Henry McMaster Requests Expedited Major Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Helene
September 28, 2024Governor Henry McMaster today requested an Expedited Major Presidential Disaster Declaration to assist state and local response efforts to Hurricane Helene. The Presidential Disaster Declaration, if approved, would provide FEMA Individual…
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Saturday Evening Update: Laurens Electric Power Restoration Efforts Continue Amid Catastrophic Damage
September 28, 2024
As of Saturday evening, 70% of Laurens Electric’s members remain without power, down from a peak of 98%. Due to the catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Helene, there is still…
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Laurens School District 56 Shifts to E-Learning and Encourages Students to Help Neighbors in Wake of Hurricane Helene
September 28, 2024
In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s unprecedented impact, Laurens County School District 56 has announced a transition to e-learning for all schools from Monday, September 30 through Wednesday, October 2.…
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Food Safety in Power Outages
September 28, 2024
A power outage may occur during a seasonal storm such as a hurricane, tornado or flood, or may simply be caused by work being done on electric lines. Whatever the…
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Some Restoration Progress Made – An Update from Laurens Electric
September 28, 2024
Restoration work continues this morning. Power has been restored to approximately 20 percent of our service area. Hundreds of crews are in the field, and we are expecting dozens more…
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Laurens County Names Sonny Ledda as Emergency Management Director
September 26, 2024
Laurens County has hired Sonny Ledda as Laurens County Emergency Management Director, effective October 15, 2024. Mr. Ledda has served in a law enforcement capacity for over 25 years, on…
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Attorney General Alan Wilson announces state’s price gouging law in effect
September 26, 2024
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today that the state’s law against price gouging is now in effect since Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency because of…
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Laurens County Clerk of Court Introduces Free Recording Alert Service to Protect Residents
September 25, 2024
The Laurens County Clerk of Court has launched a free Recording Alert Service to help residents stay informed about any documents recorded in their name with the Register of Deeds…
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Tap & Table Opens Taproom at Harper Commons on Thursday, September 26
September 25, 2024
Tap & Table is set to open its taproom next Thursday, September 26, at 5 p.m. at Harper Commons. While the full reopening is still a couple of months away,…
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24th Annual Squealin’ on the Square Festival Set to Delight in Downtown Laurens
September 25, 2024
Downtown Laurens is gearing up for the highly anticipated 24th Annual Squealin’ on the Square, taking place on Friday and Saturday, October 4th and 5th. This popular festival promises a…
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