Hurricane Helene’s Unexpected Visit to Jasper County
In Jasper County, we experienced quite the surprise recently when Hurricane Helene decided to pay us an unexpected visit. Unlike some hurricanes that give you a heads-up and take their time to arrive, Helene swooped in with all the drama of a sneaky witch casting spells. One minute we were holding our breath as her forecast showed her way off in Atlanta, and the next, she took a sharp turn, leaving everyone reeling.
Preparation and A Sudden Change
On Thursday, September 26, at around 3 p.m., our Chiefs were plugged into the Emergency Management Center’s daily call. The consensus was that Helene would likely pass us by, and even the Governor didn’t feel it necessary to declare a state of emergency for our area. So many folks thought it was just going to be an ordinary rainy, windy day. City Hall was even set to open on Friday, just like usual.
But boy, were we in for a shock! Just hours later, reports came in that Helene had taken a quick detour, and by the time it hit us, it was clear she had some serious tricks up her sleeve. Heavy rain poured down, winds whipped around, and tornado warnings sounded like sirens in the night. Trees were uprooted, power lines snapped, and roadways became unsafe with debris scattered everywhere.
The Aftermath
By dawn, emergency crews were on the move, and our police, fire, and public works teams were fully mobilized. Visibility was a bit of a challenge, but everyone worked tirelessly to clear routes for emergency vehicles. By around 10 a.m., at least one lane on all the roads in Hardeeville was cleared, making it safer for everyone to navigate. However, City Hall faced challenges too, losing power along with the Police Department building and the Recreation Center. Even there, our recreation team jumped into action, prepping the parking lot for reopening.
It was a long and exhausting weekend for everyone involved, but by Monday, the roads were mostly cleared, and the city reopened for business. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case for many folks in the county, who faced outages that lasted until Tuesday night, leaving them without basics like water and air conditioning. Our Recreation Center eventually powered back up on Monday, offering much-needed charging stations and cool air for those who needed a break from the heat.
A Lesson from Mother Nature
Having endured Hurricane Matthew back in 2016, I can say Helene brought an altogether different experience. With Matthew, we had plenty of warning, and people evacuated well ahead of time. Helene, with her impulsive turn, taught us the unpredictable nature of these storms. Can you imagine the chaos had we tried to evacuate just hours before a surprise Category 3 hurricane? It’s frightening to think about the gridlock and panic that could have ensued.
Upcoming Decisions for the Community
As we prepare for future storms and the roads that lead us to safety, there’s a critical decision coming up on November 5. We will all be asked to vote on sales tax referendums aimed at vital road improvements. Jasper County has a plan that involves investing $227.5 million to enhance critical evacuation routes, while Beaufort County plans to invest an additional $260 million. That’s nearly half a billion dollars going into roads that serve over 100,000 residents and countless tourists who enjoy our lovely Lowcountry.
There’s also a wonderful commitment to preserving our natural beauty with each county dedicating millions toward Greenbelt preservation. However, it’s important to note that these referendums will keep our sales tax rate unchanged.
Vote Wisely and Keep Engaged
As we approach the election, don’t forget, if you are part of the 55 percent who typically use the single party option by hitting one button, be sure to continue and check off your ballot on the referendum questions too! And let’s not forget about our local city elections in Hardeeville. We need to fill two city council seats, and your vote truly does matter.
Through the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, it’s been heartwarming to see our community come together for one another, and for that, we are grateful. Let’s all do our best to help those impacted by this storm, including our struggling local animal shelters. After all, we never know when we might find ourselves in need of assistance.
