Residents of Newberry County Begin to Work Through the Aftermath of Storm Helene
Columbia, S.C. – In the charming town of Newberry, a sense of normalcy is slowly returning as power is restored to shopping centers, gas stations, and even traffic lights. However, the story is quite different for those living in the rural areas of Newberry County, where many are still grappling with the aftermath of Storm Helene.
A Community in the Dark
For residents like Alyssa Wedaman, who lives just outside of Pomaria, the situation remains challenging. Alyssa reported that her community lost power on Friday morning, coinciding with the peak winds from Helene. She described the experience: “It was very ominous and very scary to be out there at night. You know you couldn’t see. All you could hear was the popping and the snapping and not know which direction the trees were headed and how they were going to fall.”
As of Wednesday evening, Alyssa found power lines sprawled across her driveway. With no clear indication of when power would be restored, her only option was to remain patient. “I think they’re out there doing everything that they can, and we just have to trust in that and just wait it out,” she shared.
Support from Local Authorities
Meanwhile, in the heart of Newberry, Sheriff Lee Foster and his dedicated team are stepping up to support those in need. At their headquarters, they’ve been busy distributing bottled water and ration meals to community members who have been impacted by the storm. The Sheriff expressed his shock at the scale of the damage caused by Helene, remarking, “I was astonished at the damage. I’d never really seen anything like this in Newberry County.”
While he acknowledged that he had worked during Hurricane Hugo, he emphasized that Helene’s destruction—particularly in terms of tree damage and the electrical grid—was, in fact, catastrophic for the area. “The tree damage and the electrical power grid damage was just catastrophic here,” he noted, highlighting the unique challenges faced by the community.
Frustration and Understanding
Despite the overwhelming circumstances, Sheriff Foster mentioned that most residents are showing a remarkable level of understanding. “When you’re without power for five days, frustrations, anxiety, it sets in, and that’s natural,” he said. He urged everyone to remain patient, expressing confidence in the crews working tirelessly to restore power. “I’m telling you, those line crews are working hard,” he added.
Curfew in Place
In light of the ongoing situation, Sheriff Foster has instituted a curfew for Newberry County until 6:00 a.m. on Thursday. The curfew will take effect each evening starting at 10:00 p.m. as a precautionary measure for safety given the vast areas still experiencing power outages.
Promise of Assistance
Representatives from Dominion Energy and local Co-Ops have reassured residents that help is on the way. They’ve called for continued patience while crews work around the clock. Keeping the lines of communication open, they emphasize their commitment to restoring power to every corner of Newberry County.
A Community Resilient Together
As Newberry County navigates through this challenging period, the strength and resilience of the community shine brightly. Members are leaning on one another, sharing stories, and collectively supporting those who continue to face difficulties in this trying time.
As we watch Newberry heal and rebuild, let’s keep those affected in our thoughts. Together, we can look forward to brighter days ahead!
