York County Responders Recall Time in S.C. Flood Zones

Oct. 10--ANDREWS -- York County Emergency Management Director Chuck Haynes has seen roadways washed out, homes destroyed and people left with little more than the clothes on their backs while assisting in the flood recovery this week in Georgetown County.

One thing that hasn't succumbed to the floodwaters, Haynes said: humanity.

With York County being spared the worst of last weekend's deluge that dropped up to 20 inches of rain and caused historic flooding in some parts of the state, Haynes and deputy director Mike Channell left Sunday to assist in rescue and recovery efforts in Clarendon County. Haynes was later deployed to Georgetown County, where on Friday afternoon they were preparing for a possible evacuation of about 200 people in the Big Dam Swamp community.

"We are anticipating a river rise sometime this evening and throughout the night," he said by phone from Andrews. "My job here is to coordinate resources and ensure life safety for these 200 people."

While emergency responders have done their best to meet the needs of residents, Haynes said resources are limited, especially in an area that currently is only accessible by air or water.

Enter 15-year-old Hunter Birk, who is using his small fishing boat as a ferry service. Haynes said the teen shuttles people who want to get off their "island" or who need to go to town or a grocery store.

"No questions asked, no request for money or anything," Haynes said. "Hands down, one of the most compassionate things I've seen. He runs his ferry service all day, and if you need it at night, he'll get up and ferry people back and forth."

Haynes is one of many from the York County area who have ventured into the flooded areas of the state.

Several deputies from the York County Sheriff's Office left Friday evening to work a 12-hour shift assisting law enforcement in Richland County. Sheriff's spokesman Trent Faris said he knew of several deputies from Oconee County who were traveling down at the same time.

"It doesn't matter what department you're from," he said, referring to the camaraderie of "brothers in blue."

"We're all police officers statewide. If they need us to come back next weekend, we could do it. If they need us to come back the next day, we could do it."

Earlier this week, four firefighters from the Rock Hill Fire Department spent two days in Columbia assisting with search and rescue efforts.

"We ended up in Forest Acres, which was probably one of the hardest-hit areas Saturday night and Sunday morning," Battalion Chief Trey Hovis said.

Along with members of the Richland County Sheriff's Department, the State Law Enforcement Division and the S.C. National Guard, Hovis said, they went door-to-door looking for victims who needed to be rescued and making sure those who wanted to stay had necessary provisions.

Hovis said the Rock Hill firefighters also witnessed acts of kindness and generosity by strangers, not only to each other but to the first responders as well.

"They were so thankful that somebody had finally gotten in there to help them," he said of some of the Forest Acres residents. "They were so grateful to see somebody in there that they were offering us water and things like that."

At one point, they had to evacuate an apartment complex because of a possible breach at a nearby dam.

"We had just been there about an hour before to reassure people," Hovis said. "Then an hour later we have to go back and say, 'Get out.'"

Hovis said it was difficult going through areas where people had died, and seeing many more areas and homes that were devastated. He was encouraged, though, by the stories of people helping each other.

"A lot of them, we'll probably never hear about," he said. "Some of these guys that had a boat and saw what was going on, they acted and they did things. A lot of these people were civilians that were helping their neighbors."

Back in Georgetown County, Haynes said stories like that need to be remembered, especially in communities facing long roads to recovery.

"A lot of lives were saved," he said, "not only by first responders but by neighbors."

So far, the residents Hunter Birk shuttles across the floodwaters aren't in any immediate danger, Haynes said. Birk will continue operating his ferry service until something changes.

"I asked him why he was doing it and he said, 'Because it needed to be done,'" Haynes said. "That's just one I'm telling you about. There's hundreds and thousands of people doing wonderful things."

Teddy Kulmala: 803-329-4082, @teddy_kulmala

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