Weathering the Storm: Spartanburg Community Bands Together
In the heart of Spartanburg, South Carolina, the roar of chainsaws is more common than the chirping of birds following the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene. The storm has caused widespread damage, including knocking out power and impacting transportation networks, creating unusually long wait times for essentials like food and fuel.
Restoration Efforts
In the wake of such devastation, local utility companies, spearheaded by Duke Energy, are restoring the city’s infrastructure one fallen tree and one snapped power line at a time. With a formidable team of almost 13,000 individuals, many of whom have traveled as far as Canada to offer assistance, the companies are tirelessly repairing the damaged power infrastructure.
“We’ve seen trees topple from the wind and the rain, and all of these things have disrupted our lines and knocked down poles.” said a spokesperson from the restoration team, highlighting the scale of the damage. The impact of the storm isn’t only felt in Spartanburg, but across upstate South Carolina and the western Carolinas.
Long Waits For Essentials
While restoration efforts continue, locals scramble for essential supplies. The long queues at gas stations and food outlets paint a picture of a community rallying together in times of crisis.
We spoke to Dale Ponds, a local resident who waited an hour in line for gas, only to find the station had run out. He is far from alone โ many residents relayed similar stories. From using social media to track open gas stations to driving miles out of town, the search for fuel has become a challenging part of post-hurricane life.
Finding Food & Fuel
Gas isn’t the only essential that these residents are having trouble finding. Many who have flocked to gas stations told us food is also scarce. We spoke to Ed Miller, who was on a food run with his stepson, stating “We arenโt worried about gas at the moment. We can walk and we can get food.” Talking about Swift Mart, one of the few food stores open, he shared, “They just got their roller grills and their stuff working, so we have hot food there.” This comment, while seemingly unremarkable, shows how extraordinary situations bring joy from ordinary things.
In spite of the hardships, there seems to be an air of optimism amongst the Spartanburg community. These belong to people who are not sitting idly by, bemoaning their fate, but patiently waiting in line, finding humor where they can, and working together to make the best out of a bad situation.
Keep Spartanburg Warm and Safe: Tips for the Season
As the community braces not only for the storm’s aftermath but also the approaching winter season (which brings its own challenges), it is vital to stay prepared. While your lawn should ideally be prepped in the fall to withstand cold weather, there are home improvements that can be made in the lead-up to winter to keep things cozy and safe indoors.
(The spunky ‘Pioneer Woman’, with her seasonal pumpkin bakeware, knows a thing or two about creating warmth indoors. It’s these small comforts that remind us life isn’t only about weathering storms, but also about enjoying a home-baked pumpkin pie.)
