COLUMBIA, S.C. – As Florida braces for the impact of Hurricane Milton, concerns are rising over debris left behind by Hurricane Helene, worried that it could turn into flying hazards, putting homes and lives at risk.
Cleanup efforts continue in the Carolinas as crews are working to clear fallen trees and debris left in Helene’s path.
“This is one of the worst storms I’ve seen here,” said Bill Gallaher, owner of Arbor Elite Tree Service.
While Gallaher has run his tree removal service with his family for six years, he has been in the industry since 1999.
Gallaher has been booked daily, removing trees from impacted homes in the area since Helene hit nearly two weeks ago.
“I didn’t expect this at all,” said Gary Heady, a Columbia resident with two large fallen trees on his property.
One tree– estimated to be 25 tons according to Gallaher– took out his pool system.
At the same time, another tree crushed part of his roof.
For Heady, however, the destruction from Hurricane Helene is part of a much longer story.
His father built the home in 1977.
Heady bought the home from his father in 2002. Then in 2007, it caught fire– destroying the interior.
After rebuilding the home the same way his father built it, a tornado swept through in 2021, bringing a tree down on the roof– similar to what he is currently dealing with.
The damage from Hurricane Helene on Heady’s home marks the third restoration project of the property.
Despite everything, Heady remains committed to his home and his roots in Columbia.
“Even if I don’t live here, I’ll never sell it,” Heady said, planning to continue passing down his residence to stay in the family.
While crews in the Carolinas continue the restoration process from Hurricane Helene, Florida residents may be less fortunate as Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall as a category four hurricane tonight, Wednesday, October 9th.
