‘The largest hurdle’: North Augusta ready for long haul after Helene
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NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - Leftover debris from Hurricane Helene in North Augusta is still causing traffic delays and school route issues.
City leaders say with power pretty much being fully restored; debris clean-up is their main priority moving forward.
“I know there is still large debris piles throughout town and people are going to get frustrated pretty quickly about what’s going on,” says Jim Clifford, North Augusta city .
North Augusta city leaders say although we’re over two weeks out from Helene – they’re far from being out of the trenches.
Damage in Hammond Hill raises concerns about student safety
Low-hanging power lines, fallen trees and debris have raised significant safety issues for students in the Hammond Hills neighborhood of North Augusta.
“I think when we go into this stage of recovery debris removal is going to be the largest hurdle,” says Clifford.
Low-hanging wires and debris are still blocking roads and causing problems for Aiken County school bus routes – delaying school for two hours in the morning.
North Augusta’s Park and Recreation director says a little less than half of the city’s parks are closed to the public, including spots like the popular Greeneway trail, but he says there are safety reasons behind it.
“It’s not work that can be done in-house,” says Rick Meyer, director of North Augusta’s Parks and Recreation. “It’s not work that volunteers can do. We’re just protecting the people of North Augusta, as much as we want them to use our parks, we want to make sure they’re not in danger.”
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The city says they know debris removal will be a long process, but they are hopeful after making huge strides in power restoration.
“I think it’s a positive outlook for the city of North Augusta, that Dominion and Aiken Co-Op, are pretty much at 100%,” says Meyer.
A long effort to put the city back together, but they’re in it for the long haul.
“We just have to take it one day at a time and one day every day, the city of North Augusta will make progress, and things will be brighter for our people,” says Meyer.
The city is also working together with contractors hired by the City of Aiken and Aiken County, and with SCDOT to clear roadways.
A long road ahead but the county is working together to hopefully speed up the process.
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