Newberry, South Carolina, Faces the Aftermath of Hurricane Helene
Newberry, South Carolina, is still feeling the effects of Hurricane Helene, three days after the storm swept through the area. As residents continue to dig out from the debris and assess the damage, a clear divide in power restoration has surfaced across the state. Power outage maps reveal that while blue counties in the east regain electricity, places like Newberry County are still struggling, with a staggering 76% of residents without power as of Monday afternoon.
Life After the Storm
For locals like Bethany Green, the struggle is real. Currently staying at her father’s house on the east side of Newberry, she’s managing with a generator after a large tree crashed down during the storm, taking down power lines and poles on her block. Fortunately, it narrowly missed her truck parked in the street. “There’s a dent in the hood, but that’s it,” she shared with a sigh of relief. “If the truck had been parked a few feet forward, there would be no car to go to work.”
City Manager Jason Taylor noted that when that tree crashed down early Friday morning, the city was plunged into darkness, losing all incoming power. He described a situation where about 80% of the city’s roadways were obstructed, making it challenging for emergency services to respond promptly. “We’ve got to get those up and going,” Taylor recalled thinking as he watched the chaos unfold. “We’ve got to get the road open, or we couldn’t get our emergency vehicles out.”
Restoration Efforts Underway
Thanks to the hard work of crews, including one from North Carolina trying to restore the tangled mess of downed power lines, about 75% of power customers in Newberry had their electricity restored by Monday. Yet, statewide, around 740,000 individuals remained without power, with some expected to stay in the dark until Thursday.
Despite all this, Green and her neighbors counted their blessings. They managed to avoid significant structural damage, only dealing with a branch falling in her backyard and creating a small hole in her shed’s roof. “We’re pretty self-sufficient,” she stated, relieved that the home still has access to water and local stores are still able to supply food.
Tougher Times for Others
Not everyone was as fortunate. Just a few blocks away, Chris Dunn faced a different reality. An 80 mph gust sent his neighbor’s pecan tree crashing through his roof at about 6 a.m. on Friday, allowing rain to flood an unused bedroom. Still, Dunn expressed gratitude for the house’s sturdiness. “It’s a really well-built house,” he said, confident that repairs can be done without too much hassle. His power outage also lasted only 12 hours, a quicker recovery he attributes to being on the same circuit as the local hospital.
For those who endured longer outages, a temporary shelter opened up at Newberry High School, while the city set up a charging station in the old firehouse. This allowed residents to charge their devices and connect to the internet, a small welcome relief during a challenging time. On Monday, a few dozen individuals received coffee and water at the station, catching up on the latest weather news.
A Community That Cares
Among those seeking the charging station was Menda Shelton, who traveled in from Joanna with her son and daughter. Her son, Xavier, utilized the internet access to complete his remote school work while Menda considered taking a shower at the local YMCA. According to Taylor, hundreds of folks have been coming in to charge their devices over the weekend—especially helpful since Newberry College was without power until midday Sunday, leaving students sprawled out on the floor seeking a charge.
As the community rallies together, Dunn reflected on the support they are offering each other, satisfied with the resilience shown. “Everyone in our community, whether I know them or not, has asked if we need anything,” he said. “That says a lot.” With generous hearts and helping hands, the city of Newberry is proving to be a beacon of compassion in the face of adversity.
