Hurricane Helene Leaves Midlands Roads Impassable

Hurricane Helene Leaves Midlands Roads Impassable

The city of Columbia is currently grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which has left many roads across the Midlands closed and transformed into unrecognizable rivers because of flooding and downed trees. As of noon today, the situation remains serious, with local authorities urging residents to stay off the roads.

Road Closures in Richland County

Richland County is experiencing significant disruptions, with multiple roads reporting closures. It’s important for locals to be aware of which streets are affected. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the roads you should avoid:

• Clamp Road, Blythewood
• Alcorn and Olin Sites Roads, Irmo
• Heyward Brockington Court, Columbia
• Waterford Drive, Columbia
• West Ashford Way, Irmo
• Jessie Stoudemayer Road, Irmo
• Riley and Barnes Streets, Columbia
• Roundtree Road, Blythewood
• Wren Creek Drive, Blythewood
• Russ Brown Road, Blythewood
• Hiram Allen Road, Blythewood
• Cavendish Court, Irmo
• Mistywood Lane, Irmo
• 7 Sunbelt Court, Columbia (*road flooded*)
• 91 Middle Creek Road, Irmo
• 19 Dantzler Drive, Columbia
• Nipper Creek Road, Columbia
• Valerie Road, Columbia
• Magnolia Hall Road, Columbia
• Big Leaf Court, Columbia
• Cherry Lane, Eastover
• Larger Street, Columbia
• 200 Harry Derrick Road, Irmo
• Lake Carolina Boulevard, Columbia
• Eichelberger Road, Irmo
• Sam Dubard Road, Blythewood
• Gusty Lane, Hopkins
• Lynn McCartha Road, Chapin

With so many roads blocked, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department is strongly advising everyone to stay off the roads as they may not just be difficult to pass, but potentially dangerous as well.

What’s Happening in Lexington?

As we swing over to the town of Lexington, locals are facing similar challenges. Several key roads are closed, including:

• 2400 Mineral Springs Road
• South Lake Drive between Roberts Street and Third Avenue
• Elm Street between Roberts Street and Third Street
• South Church Street between Elm Street and Roberts Street
• Corley Street and Dreher Street
• Golden Hills neighborhood entrance, access at Morgan Drive

The authorities are on their toes, monitoring the situation closely and working on clearing the debris as swiftly as they can to keep everyone safe.

Updates from West Columbia

In West Columbia, the Mayor, Tem Miles, took to social media to share the situation. As of 10:30 AM, there were around 25 road closures being actively monitored. “We have a bunch of trees down across the whole town right now. There are more still falling,” the Mayor stated. The city is diligently working on clearing the streets so they can reopen them safely.

Statewide Impact

It’s not just local towns feeling the impact; even the wider area has seen its share of blockages. In Batesburg-Leesville, U.S. 1 is completely blocked by a massive tree near the Leesville Methodist Church, while U.S. 23 is also impassable near Batesburg Baptist Church.

For real-time updates, the South Carolina Department of Transportation is providing information through an interactive online map, ensuring that residents can stay informed about which roads to avoid during this unpredictable weather.

As the days go by, it’s essential to stay tuned, stay safe, and remember – it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Please look after your neighbors and check in on those who might need assistance during these challenging times.