Spartanburg Sees Uprooted Trees and Downed Power Lines
In Spartanburg, disruption and damage are the order of the day as residents grapple with the aftermath of a major storm. Treacherous conditions persist on the east side of the city, with fallen trees and downed power lines causing havoc for the locals. But that’s not where the problems end for those residing on Dupre Drive.
Just down the road, Lawsons Fork Creek has swelled past its natural borders, flooding the Cottonwood Trail and even submerging sections of Dupre Drive. Local resident, Ed Griffin, describes the scene. “We have water coming all the way up our driveway and it has flooded our road,” Griffin reported.
Situated on the eastern side of the road, Griffin’s property appears to be getting the worst of it. “This side of our road is just covered with fallen trees. We had to climb over trees all the way down the road to get to Fernwood Drive,” he adds.
Unprecedented Flooding Challenges Sparatanburg Residents
The flooding isn’t just a minor inconvenience for these folks, but is causing serious complications. Jennifer O’Shields, another resident in the area, laments, “The water is probably halfway through the yard, and we live on a hill. So, there is no way to get out”. The families collectively counted fifteen fallen trees in their street. While the either ends of Dupre Drive seem dry, certain areas are totally submerged with deep and fast moving water. In addition to the fallen timbers, live power lines are down and lying in the water, escalating the risks.
Community Banding Together to Clear Roads in Converse Heights
The state of affairs in the historic neighborhood of Converse Heights isn’t much better. Age old oaks, usually providing shade and character, have been uprooted, blocking roads and, in some cases, hitting homes. A local resident, Tim Kallgren, spent hours with few men trying to move a large tree that had fallen at an intersection.
One resident’s vacation plans were disrupted by multiple trees falling on his property. “We were packed, ready to go on a vacation and had a tree come down and hit a power line,” he recalls. Not long after that, another tree decided to relocate, splitting the roof of Naylor’s house. After relocating his car just in time, a third tree came down and hit his neighbor’s car. A fourth tree falling in his yard resulted in a gas leak.
A Neighborhood Changed Forever?
Kathryn Harvey, who grew up in the neighborhood, expressed her disbelief at the extent of the damage. “I don’t remember seeing the magnitude of this, the way things are right now,” Harvey said. “This is an old neighborhood, and the trees are as old as anything. And when they get waterlogged and the ground gets soaked, that’s it.”
As the city picks up the pieces, the residents, the everyday folks that make Spartanburg what it is, are left to assess the damage, pull together, and rebuild. And, as seen in this crisis, these sturdy locals are more than up to the task.
