West Columbia Riverwalk Still Closed: What’s the Hold-Up?
It’s been over two months since Hurricane Helene swept through the southeast, leaving a significant mark on West Columbia, South Carolina. Residents have been eagerly awaiting the reopening of a portion of the West Columbia Riverwalk, but as of now, a fence remains firmly in place, blocking access to the scenic path.
A Long Wait for Recovery
The West Columbia section of the Riverwalk, which stretches for half a mile and begins near the West Columbia Amphitheater, has been closed since late September. Helene’s heavy rains flooded the trail, causing damage that has left both locals and officials scratching their heads over the prolonged closure. Meanwhile, the neighboring Cayce portion of the Riverwalk has been fully operational since November 7, leading to questions about why West Columbia is lagging behind.
City officials have noted that part of the holdup in reopening the West Columbia Riverwalk is due to awaiting essential disaster funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). A spokesperson confirmed that city officials are set to meet with FEMA and South Carolina’s Emergency Management later in December to discuss the situation.
What Are We Waiting For?
So, what’s causing the delay? According to Anna Huffman, a spokesperson for the city, “We’re waiting on landscape architects’ and engineers’ estimations and a FEMA site assessment.” Until that happens, they won’t be able to provide a timeline for when the Riverwalk can be reopened or how much the damages will ultimately cost.
The timeline has been frustrating, particularly for residents who love using the trail. Just a few months after Hurricane Helene tore through, folks here are still feeling the effects. On the morning of September 27, residents took stock of the destruction as utility workers scrambled to clear roads blocked by fallen trees and power lines. The Congaree River rose to a staggering height of 30.5 feet, fully submerging the Riverwalk.
Understanding the Cleanup Process
After the storm, West Columbia’s response involved a lot more than just clearing out debris. When floodwaters receded, officials were faced with extensive damage that required a different approach to cleanup. Mayor Tem Miles described the situation as, “A hefty task. Lots of times when storms come through, we clean everything off and make minor repairs, but this is a whole different ballgame.”
While the city managed to reopen the parking lot, amphitheater, and a small segment of the trail, the main portion remains off-limits until further assessments have been made. The heavy lifting continues. Initial clean-up efforts have included removing trees and digging out silt and debris left behind by the flooding.
A Tale of Two Riverwalks
Cayce’s Riverwalk had a different story. It was back in business a month prior to West Columbia’s section. The differences in approach can be chalked up to the extent of damage each side faced. West Columbia dealt with significant structural damage as well as the challenge of navigating the FEMA funding process. Meanwhile, Cayce had to replace a boardwalk but used its own funds initially, seeking reimbursement from FEMA later. “It’s such an important part of our recreation and who we are as a city,” said Ashley Hunter, a spokesperson for Cayce.
Cleaning and repairing after a major storm can be a lengthy endeavor, often taking months—or even years in some cases. Following the devastating floods of 2015, the cleanup process for both the Cayce and West Columbia Riverwalks lasted until 2018 for Cayce and even longer for West Columbia, which didn’t fully reopen until last year.
Looking Ahead
Residents of West Columbia will need some patience as city officials prepare for their meetings with FEMA. The recovery and reopening of the Riverwalk may be slow, but it’s essential for the community’s recreational offerings. Gerard Hammink, a spokesperson for FEMA, summed it up well: “Even though it has been two months since the hurricane hit, that’s not that unusual if you’re thinking about these major projects that are rebuilding and so forth.”
For now, folks can only wait and wonder when they’ll be able to enjoy the beauty of the West Columbia Riverwalk once again!
