By Stan Welch
The incessant and significant rainfall of the last few days resulted in a variety of responses by the county in the Pelzer/West Pelzer/ Williamston area.
The conditions at the Pelzer Dam resulted in the dispatch of additional emergency crews. The county sent out personnel from the Emergency Services department in response to reports of conditions that turned out to be exaggerated.
County administrator Rusty Burns said that preliminary reports received from the public indicated a possible breach of the dam, which was found to be totally untrue. “We sent some of our emergency services personnel and equipment to Pelzer to make our own determination of the conditions. As a precaution, we left those resources in place for a few hours, but determined, after speaking with personnel from Enel Green Power, which operates the dam, that no real risk existed.” A swift water rescue team from the Anderson City fire department was also sent to the scene as a precaution.
Burns went on to say that the record setting rainfalls of the past few weeks have stressed both people and the county’s emergency systems. “The flooding in the Midlands and at the coast has been unprecedented in modern times, and we have sent personnel and equipment as available to assist those in need. Churches, civic organizations and individual citizens have gathered and delivered emergency goods to those in the direst of circumstances.”
“ At the same time, while we here in Anderson were much luckier, we did not escape without any impact, and our resources have been put to the test. Our people in law enforcement, emergency services and emergency management, and throughout the county staff have performed beautifully. Road crews and maintenance crews have answered every call. I am very proud of the professional and dedicated nature of their response; and while I do not speak for him, I am sure that Sheriff Skipper shares that sentiment.”
The entrance to the Gatewood subdivision, which has been a problem area for many months, and a source of contention between municipal and county officials in recent months, was once again compromised by the effects of several inches of rain.
The county sent out a road crew to place large slabs that will serve to temporarily keep the roadway usable.
Mayor Durham has stated the town’s intention to repair the roadway as soon as possible; that, however, requires passage of an ordinance designating the road as a town road. Durham says he hopes to have that ordinance approved by month’s end.
The mayor has contended that the county should be responsible for the road, while members of the Anderson County Transportation Committee, which has provided some funding, have said that the situation was allowed to go far too long without attention, causing a much worse problem than there should have been.
