Woodruff and Surrounding Areas Rebuild After Hurricane Helene
By: Vareva Harris, Co-Editor | vareva@thewoodrufftimes.com
Woodruff, SC– Residents of Woodruff, along with Cross Anchor and Enoree, are facing a long road to recovery after Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic power outages and widespread debris. The storm, which made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 140 MPH, left a trail of destruction, impacting both infrastructure and daily life. As the recovery enters another phase, power has been restored to all residents.
Utility providers, including Duke Energy and Laurens Electric Cooperative, reported that debris and the need to rebuild sections of the electric grid significantly delayed power restoration efforts. In some areas, it took up to ten days to restore power.
City Manager Lee Bailey acknowledged the difficult road ahead, stating, “We are in the early stages of a long journey to full recovery.” He emphasized the city’s commitment to providing resources, particularly debris removal, a major concern for many residents.
Water and sewer services, maintained by Spartanburg Water and contractors, remained operational during the disaster.
Access to ice, a major issue during the power outage, sparked over 320,000 reactions on The Woodruff Times Facebook page as residents scrambled to find available supplies. Spartanburg Water provided ice, though not directly in town, and residents hope future city plans will prioritize accessible ice distribution.
Local businesses played a key role in supporting the community, with the Country Meat Market, Food Lion, and Mr. Jalapeños remaining open throughout the disaster. Spartanburg School District Four also provided meals for students while schools were closed, offering crucial support to families in need. Churches, small business owners, nonprofits, and residents also provided food and other resources to those hit hardest by the storm.
Recovery efforts have seen a coordinated response from state and federal leaders. Senator Shane Martin advocated for resources from state agencies, while Gov. Henry McMaster successfully secured FEMA aid following President Joe Biden’s approval for expedited disaster relief. FEMA assistance has been a mixed experience for residents; while some have received aid, others face delays or denial of benefits. Many residents have expressed frustration with the process, particularly those with insurance, who fear rising premiums after filing claims. Some are calling for a reevaluation of how disaster recovery is funded, especially as climate change increases the frequency of weather-related disasters.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham has called for immediate action to bury power lines, which he argues could mitigate the impact of future storms.
City Manager Lee Bailey and Mayor Kenneth Gist have reassured residents that recovery efforts will continue in collaboration with national, state, and local authorities, as well as corporate partners and small businesses. Mayor Gist remarked, “The devastation to our infrastructure was unlike anything I’ve seen in my lifetime as a lifelong resident of Woodruff. We are blessed that we made it through the disaster with no casualties.”
As cleanup and restoration progress, the resilience of the Woodruff community is evident, with neighbor-to-neighbor support continuing to play a critical role in navigating the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The road to recovery is long, but city leaders are determined to see it through.
Author: Tracy Sanders
