News Summary
The Town of Lexington faces ongoing Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs) following heavy rainfall from Hurricane Helene. Public notices have been issued to alert residents about sewage overflow risks affecting local creeks and areas near Lake Murray. The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services is involved in effective mitigation efforts while the storm has caused extensive damage statewide, including multiple fatalities and power outages. Measures such as curfews in Saluda and Aiken counties and canceled festivals are in place as communities recover from the storm’s impact.
Lexington, South Carolina – The Town of Lexington is grappling with ongoing and potential Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs) due to heavy rainfall from Hurricane Helene. The SSOs are affecting Twelvemile Creek and Fourteenmile Creek downstream of Corley Mill Road, as well as areas near Lake Murray, particularly at Spence Drive. Public notices have been posted in affected regions to alert residents about the risks associated with sewage overflow.
The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services has been made aware of the situation, and the Town of Lexington is actively engaged in efforts to mitigate further environmental impact. Residents seeking information or assistance can reach out to the Utilities Department at 803-359-2434.
Hurricane Helene has unleashed severe weather conditions across South Carolina, marked by intense rainfall and powerful winds, resulting in extensive destruction and loss of life. Reports indicate a total of 17 storm-related fatalities statewide, with tragic incidents recorded in Aiken, Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Newberry, and Saluda counties. Notably, the state has lost two volunteer firefighters from Saluda County, as confirmed by Governor Henry McMaster. Additionally, the Aiken County Coroner is investigating four deaths attributed to falling trees on homes.
As of Friday at 2 p.m., about 1.23 million customers have lost power across the state, significantly affecting the Midlands and southeastern regions. Greenville County has reported over 260,000 outages, while Spartanburg County follows closely with approximately 171,000 outages. In response to the disaster, President Joe Biden has approved an emergency declaration for South Carolina to facilitate disaster relief and recovery efforts.
In light of the recovery efforts and the ongoing situation, the Irmo Okra Strut festival has been canceled. Precautionary measures have also been taken in Saluda County, where a curfew from 6:30 p.m. to 8 a.m. has been instituted to protect residents from hazards resulting from downed trees and power lines. Likewise, Aiken County has set a curfew from 7:30 p.m. Friday to 7:30 a.m. Saturday for public safety.
The City of Columbia is closely monitoring a potential dam failure scenario in North Carolina, which could have repercussions for the Broad and Congaree rivers. Experts are warning that a dam failure could lead to significant flooding, with the Congaree River anticipated to crest at moderate flood stage later in the weekend. Counties, including Richland and Newberry, have reported various road closures and travel disruptions due to extensive downed trees and power lines.
Wind gusts reached up to 52 mph in Sumter County, contributing to numerous reports of downed trees littering the streets and making travel dangerous. Local authorities are urging residents to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary travel, as hazards from downed power lines and flooding persist.
The Columbia Metropolitan Airport experienced substantial disruptions with multiple flight delays and cancellations due to hazardous winds. Meanwhile, the University of South Carolina is dealing with downed trees on campus and is in the process of assessing potential damage to buildings.
Emergency services in the affected areas are currently overwhelmed but remain dedicated to responding to the challenges posed by the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The storm has led to significant operational disruptions in local governments, with many offices and departments closed or functioning on reduced schedules as the recovery process unfolds.
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Additional Resources
- The State: Town of Lexington Grapples with Sewage Overflows
- Wikipedia: Sanitary Sewer Overflow
- WLTX: South Carolina Sewer Spill and Water Quality
- Google Search: Hurricane Helene South Carolina
- WIS TV: Blue Granite Water Apologizes for Sewer System Spill
- Google Scholar: Sewer Spills Environmental Impact
- The State: Weather News and Impact
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hurricane Helene
- WLTX: Sanitary Sewer Overflow in Saluda River
- Google News: Columbia Metropolitan Airport Disruptions
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
