Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Officials urge residents to stay informed as efforts progress

 

POLK COUNTY—Polk County officials are urging residents to stay informed and take advantage of available resources as debris removal and infrastructure repairs continue following the destruction caused by Tropical Storm Helene.

The county partnered with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to remove storm debris, and the clean-up process is currently underway. The USACE is working closely with local and state officials to clear debris and restore affected areas.

“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington Office, is overseeing debris removal for Polk County following Tropical Storm Helene,” County Manager Marche Pittman said. “We ask that all Polk County residents place their storm debris along the right-of-way or roadside for pickup no later than Feb. 20, 2025, to ensure removal.”

To improve communication with the public, Pittman’s office recently hired Public Information Officer Kellie Cannon to help distribute updates through official county channels. Residents are encouraged to follow Polk County’s social media platforms for the latest information on Instagram at @PolkLocalCountyGovernment and on Facebook at Polk County Local Government.

Polk County Emergency Management Director Bobby Arledge emphasized the importance of staying connected through the Everbridge Emergency Alert System, which residents can sign up for by texting POLKNC to 88877 or visiting member.everbridge.net/index/565565588504592.

“Polk County encourages all residents to sign up for the [alert system],” Arledge said. “This program will send emergency alerts directly to registered cell phones, providing crucial county information and empowering residents to make informed decisions.”

Despite these efforts, frustration remains high among residents along Highway 176, many of whom feel progress has been slow. A section of the highway, which is a critical route between Tryon and Saluda, remains closed, leaving Interstate 26 as the only passable road between the two towns.

County officials emphasized the critical need to repair Highway 176, noting that if Interstate 26 were to become blocked or damaged, the only remaining route to Tryon or Saluda would be Holbert Cove Road, which is not designed to accommodate heavy traffic or emergency response vehicles. The North Carolina Department of Transportation is responsible for roadway and bridge repairs. 

Some residents along the Pacolet River and Green River Cove are still without adequate housing, relying on temporary setups as they await further assistance.

“I’ve been taking showers a few times a week at the gym in Tryon while living out here with my three dogs, without water and electricity for weeks,” one resident said, who asked to remain anonymous. “Just six days ago, they finally put in a temporary power pole.”

County officials said that while the cleanup process is complex and involves multiple agencies, they remain committed to restoring the area as quickly as possible. In addition to working with the USACE and AshBritt Environmental, Polk County is also partnering with saw teams to assist in clearing debris. Officials noted that in all cases, tree size limitations are a factor, as available equipment can only handle a certain capacity.

Polk County residents are encouraged to follow county social media pages and sign up for Everbridge alerts for official updates rather than relying on word-of-mouth or unofficial sources.

Residents can follow the progress of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on their official social media page at www.facebook.com/USACE.Wilmington. For more information on debris removal and recovery efforts, visit www.facebook.com/PolkCountyLocalGovernment.