Hurricane Helene Brings Heavy Rain and Concerns to Newberry County
The city of Newberry, South Carolina, is feeling the aftershocks of Hurricane Helene as it continues to wreak havoc throughout the Midlands. As the storm makes its way north, residents, particularly in western areas like Newberry County, are experiencing heavy rains and gusty winds. The National Weather Service issued various tornado and flash flood warnings Thursday afternoon, but the real test of the storm is expected to kick in overnight into Friday morning.
Steady Rain and Rising Waters
As the rain poured steadily throughout Thursday, common sights included small ponds forming on roads and local areas becoming waterlogged. With travel becoming more hazardous, many experts are urging those in Newberry County to avoid driving unless absolutely necessary. It’s important for anyone who must venture out to drive slowly to avoid the risk of hydroplaning and always steer clear of standing water.
A Local Perspective
Speaking with local resident Cindy Moore, she expressed her concerns about the situation. “It’s pretty bad right now,” Moore stated, adding, “But it could get worse. Our yard floods sometimes, and we have had trouble with it running in one of our bathrooms before. And sometimes the creek gets out down the hill and floods really bad.” The uncertainty of the storm’s impact weighs heavily on the minds of those living in the area.
Preparing for Impact
Newberry Sheriff Lee Foster shared insight into the safety measures being put in place as the storm approaches. “We are ramping up our personnel status,” Foster noted. “And we’re also having the equipment that we use in situations like this for search and rescue; we have that ready. We’re standing by, watching, and waiting.” In Newberry County, which is characterized by rolling hills, the sheriff reassured residents that, though there aren’t many densely populated flood zones, caution is still necessary.
“Fortunately, we have very few places that have a dense population in a flood zone,” Foster said, “but we do have that potential. The city of Newberry has a creek that runs through the middle that has over the years been prone to flood.” With the storm’s intensity on the rise, the sheriff expressed concern over potential street flooding, drivers losing control due to hydroplaning, and the threat of downed trees and power lines.
Community Impact
In addition to the flooding concerns in Newberry County, various road closures have been reported throughout the Midlands, making travel more difficult. Many schools and state offices are announcing altered schedules due to the storm’s impact. Community preparedness is at an all-time high as residents and local authorities keep a close eye on the unpredictable weather.
Stay Safe, Newberry!
The community of Newberry is encouraged to remain vigilant as Hurricane Helene continues its course. Keeping safe and informed should be the priority. Residents are reminded to stay indoors if at all possible and to stay updated on weather conditions through reliable channels.
As the storm progresses, let’s hope for calmer weather soon so that the community can bounce back safely and swiftly. Stay safe, Newberry!
