Rebuilding and Renewal Efforts Intensify in Upstate South Carolina Following Tropical Storm Helene

Rebuilding and Renewal in Upstate: Post-Storm Cleanup and Federal Help

In less than two months since Tropical Storm Helene hit Greenville and Spartanburg counties in South Carolina, efforts are underway for a full recovery. Cleanup operations are in full swing in both counties, and announcements predict that the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) disaster relief efforts will extend into the foreseeable future.

Greenville County spokesperson Bob Mihalic reported that the county’s debris contractor has already collected in excess of 330,000 cubic yards of debris with Greenville collecting roughly 7,000 yards daily. Debris collection in this county is projected to reach over one million cubic yards when the cleanup operation concludes.

Operations will continue on a ’round-the-clock schedule, as double trailer trucks trundle around Greenville seven days a week, collecting debris until at least January. November sees the county focusing especially on three areas of the county for cleanup.

Residents of Greenville County who would rather drop off their own debris have options, too. The designated locations are in Blackberry Valley, at 409 Blackberry Road, and in Enoree, at 311 Anderson Ridge Road.

The Journey Towards Healing in Spartanburg County

14About ready to bounce back from the storm’s aftermath as well, Spartanburg County has recorded more than 250,000 cubic yards of debris collection with an estimated collection rate of 10,000 cubic yards per day.

As with Greenville, Spartanburg County expects well over a million cubic yards of debris by the time collection has finished. Debris pick-up operations will continue into 2025 without a set completion date. Teams are working diligently seven days a week to restore normalcy in the county.

FEMA Extends Duration of Disaster Relief Efforts

In other heartening news, FEMA has extended its disaster relief program for Greenville and Spartanburg Counties. Initially, the agency planned to cease operations in both counties by this weekend. Instead, this end date has been postponed, offering much-needed respite to affected areas.

In Greenville, FEMA’s operations are based out of the Freetown Community Center at 200 Alice Avenue. The center has been offering relief services Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Its operations will remain open until January 7th.

Over in Spartanburg County, disaster relief efforts continue at the Spartanburg Emergency Management Services building, located at 175 Community College Drive. This relief center functions Monday to Saturday between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. and will retain operations until December 6th.

We remain hopeful and encouraged that progress continues, and we look forward to the return of normalcy for Greenville and Spartanburg Counties. Take heart knowing that the journey may seem long, but every cleanup effort takes us one step closer to our community’s full recovery.