Forest Acres Residents Unite in Recovery from Hurricane Helene’s Fury

Forest Acres Residents Tackle Storm Aftermath

FOREST ACRES, S.C. — Residents are still feeling the impact of Hurricane Helene as the cleanup continues. With trees still hanging perilously near roadways and many families waiting for assistance with debris, the community is coming together, showing true resilience in the face of challenges.

City Efforts in Full Gear

According to Lynnsey Baker, a spokesperson for the city, the Public Works Department has been working tirelessly to clear fallen trees and other debris from roadways and homes. However, they face a pressing challenge: finding a company that can handle the hefty task of removing large tree trunks left behind by the storm.

“We are equipped to handle trash collection and yard debris. We are not a tree removal company,” Baker explained. “Even if we cut the trees down to manageable sizes of 2 to 4 feet, some of them can be over 30 inches in diameter. They are very old trees, and picking them up could ruin our machinery.”

Impact of Hurricane Helene

Baker shared that the city has managed to remove countless trees, estimating that over 200 trees fell within city limits during or shortly after the hurricane. Many of these trees impacted homes, causing damage and concern for residents. In recent days, Baker noted that trees initially weakened by Helene’s winds continued to topple, highlighting the ongoing risks in the area.

“We still have trees falling. We had several trees come down last week after Helene hit. The ground is really saturated,” she said, stressing the importance for residents to check for any leaning trees on their properties. As the community braces for the possibility of another storm from the Gulf, there’s a shared hope that the path of the new hurricane doesn’t shift unexpectedly.

Personal Stories from the Community

The aftermath of the storm has been a struggle for many residents. Harrison Lee Reeves, a local who experienced a tree fall in his front yard, shared his story: “I was inside, I heard a loud crack, bang, and I knew exactly what it was.” A tree fell, damaging his truck and a nearby power line. Although he managed to get the tree cut down the same day, the hassle of removing the massive trunk has turned into a drawn-out process.

“It’s been kinda tricky just waiting on them to clear the rest of the debris. Took probably three days to get power back, and I still don’t have wifi! Just working it out,” Reeves adds with a touch of humor, trying to keep spirits high amid the disruption.

Continuous Support from Crews

In addition to the cleanup efforts by the city, SCDOT crews are actively working to ensure the roads remain safe by cutting down trees that pose potential hazards. The city also announced that Citadel Park remains closed due to leaning trees that could be dangerous for playground-goers.

As the situation unfolds, the community continues to stand united, helping one another out wherever they can. The resilience of Forest Acres is shining through as they recover from the storm. With each fallen tree cleared, they are one step closer to a return to normalcy.

In a time filled with challenges, the spirit of camaraderie and support stands strong within the neighborhood, reminding everyone that they’re in this together.