Batesburg-Leesville Residents Face Challenges Following Hurricane Helene
It’s been nearly a week since Hurricane Helene struck the small town of Batesburg-Leesville, and the effects are still being felt. Just under 10,000 residents in Lexington County remain without power, and local officials say Batesburg-Leesville alone accounts for around 20% of these outages. The storm made landfall as a powerful Category 4 hurricane, leaving behind a trail of devastation and hardship for many.
Community Spirit Shines Through
Despite the struggles, the community is coming together to lend a helping hand. Residents have been gathering at the Depot Park to receive free meals, showing that even in tough times, the spirit of togetherness thrives. Meals have been made possible thanks to the generous contributions from local businesses and restaurants, who have stepped up to support their neighbors.
According to Interim Town Administrator Jay Hendrix, while the situation could be dire, Batesburg-Leesville is doing as well as can be expected considering the circumstances. “Everything except electricity has been at least functional,” he said, offering a glimmer of hope for residents facing challenges. While water remained available for those within the town limits, many in the rural areas have had to grapple with the compounded struggle of both water and power outages.
The Damage Left Behind
As the winds subsided and the storm passed, the damage became evident. More than 20 homes were reported damaged due to fallen trees, and nearly 100 roads became impassable with debris and flooding. “It’s a struggle,” said resident William Philbeck, who has called Batesburg-Leesville home for decades. “This is worse than Hurricane Hugo back in 1989.”
For residents like Philbeck, the lack of power means not just discomfort but serious complications. “We don’t have power, we don’t have water, no electricity, and it’s just a struggle,” he lamented. He articulated the urgent fears of many when he added, “For people that are on insulin, that’s been a challenge.” With six days without work due to the storm aftermath, he’s worried about his mounting bills and getting back to a normal routine.
Efforts for Restoration
The good news is that power restoration efforts are underway. Dominion Energy, with help from crews coming in from surrounding states, is working hard to restore electricity. Town officials expect power to be restored in Lexington County by Thursday, but for many, the waiting game is wearing thin.
With Town Hall open as a charging station and the Depot Park providing meals since Saturday, residents are encouraged to take advantage of these resources. However, the challenges persist; even local businesses are feeling the strain. The local Walmart only regained power on Sunday, and nearby gas stations quickly ran dry as residents scrambled to fuel up.
Looking Ahead
As Batesburg-Leesville continues to clean up and recover from this disastrous storm, it’s clear that the sense of community and resilience is strong. Residents are encouraged to reach out to each other and utilize the resources available at the Depot Park and Town Hall as they navigate this tough time.
While challenging times lie ahead, Batesburg-Leesville is determined to come out stronger on the other side of Hurricane Helene. Residents, through their camaraderie and spirit, ensure that no one has to face these struggles alone. For now, the hope is that power is restored soon, bringing some normalcy back to the lives of those affected.
