Hurricane Helene Leaves Mark on Beaufort County
Beaufort, SC – As the sun peeked up on Friday morning, Beaufort County woke up to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and uprooted trees. The storm rolled in late Thursday night, bringing high winds and heavy rain, and it quickly became clear that it had left its mark.
Power Outages and Damaged Roads
Governor Henry McMaster held a press conference at 2 p.m. on Friday, indicating that Helene may have caused more power outages than any storm in recent history. Thousands found themselves in the dark, with power lines tangled among fallen trees. Speaking of winds, John Quagliariello from the National Weather Service stated that Beaufort County recorded wind gusts up to an astonishing 75 mph! It was no wonder that folks were left trying to navigate roads littered with debris.
Efforts began promptly as crews worked tirelessly into the afternoon. The town declared that a section of May River Road between Buckwalter Parkway and Old Miller Road would be closed for an extended time due to the dangerous conditions caused by downed power lines and trees. Pretty inconvenient for those just trying to get around!
Emergency Services on High Alert
Emergency services had their hands full on Friday. In just a single day, the Bluffton Township Fire District responded to over 130 storm-related calls! That’s right—130! It was reported that this far exceeded their responses from the notorious Hurricane Matthew. On Hilton Head Island, firefighters tackled 35 downed trees, and some of these trees even damaged buildings.
The Lady’s Island-St. Helena Fire District noted the chaos and confusion with numerous trees and power lines down, making safe travel nearly impossible. “The damage is extensive,” said Stephen Combs, the fire district’s public information officer, summarizing the scene with a heavy heart.
A Closer Look at the Damage
Meanwhile, Burton’s fire district reported over 50 emergency calls related to the storm. Wires down, electrical fires involving exploding transformers, and a house fire were just some of the incidents. Thankfully, there were no serious injuries reported, but several residents had to be rescued after trees fell on their homes.
As for Hilton Head Island, the beach patrol kept an eye on the tumultuous coast. By 9:30 a.m., beach patrol strung red flags across Coligny Beach to warn beachgoers of dangerous rip currents associated with Helene. The sand was littered with seaweed and debris, reminding everyone that Mother Nature is as beautiful as she is fierce.
Preliminary Damage Reports
As of Friday morning, the National Weather Service had received nine preliminary storm damage reports. The majority of reports detailed felled trees and potential tornado sightings. For example, a possible tornado was reported early Thursday on Daufuskie Island with photos catching fallen trees and minor damage.
The reports continued to pour in as the storm wreaked havoc across the region. By early Friday, roads were closed all over Bluffton due to fallen trees and debris. Safety alerts from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office warned drivers to steer clear of affected areas.
Looking Ahead
As the cleanup begins and residents assess the damage, one thing is for sure: Hurricane Helene may have left chaos in her wake, but the community’s spirit remains steadfast. Neighbors are already stepping in to lend a helping hand to those in need. Together, Beaufort County will rally, rebuild, and recover from this latest storm. Keep an eye on local news for continued updates and stay safe out there!
