🧇 Plus, understanding the Waffle House Index.
 
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Today’s Forecast

71Âş | 5% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:24 a.m. | Sunset 7:14 p.m.
 

What to do if your property was damaged
GVL_Marissa_Craft_Helene_Damage_SEPT2024
Here’s what to do if your home was damaged by the storm. | Photo by Marissa Craft
It’s been several days since Helene passed through the Upstate, but devastation remains. As crews work to clean up fallen trees and downed power lines, there are also resources for home and business owners affected by storm damage.

FEMA aid has been approved

Gov. Henry McMaster’s request for expedited federal aid has been approved.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved support for Greenville County (among other counties) that will:
  • Provide direct financial assistance to residents with uninsured damages to their property — register online, via the FEMA App, or by calling 1-800-621-3362.
  • Provide public assistance to local governments for debris removal + other emergency protective measures.
  • Give state agencies, local governments, and certain non-profit organizations funding for projects that reduce or mitigate future disaster risks.
President Joe Biden previously approved an emergency declaration for South Carolina, which paved the way for federal assistance from the Department of Homeland Security + the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support state and local efforts.

Report your damage

Greenville County Emergency Management is asking citizens to report damage for a damage assessment that will be used to request federal assistance for our area.

If you were affected, here’s what you need to do:
  1. Take photos of all the damage and debris before cleaning up.
  2. Download the SC Emergency Manager App. (Click here for Apple + click here for Google.)
  3. Select “Tools” from the tool bar at the bottom.
  4. Select “Damage Assessment.”
  5. Fill out your information.

As you clean up, here are a few more tips:

  • Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to find out what your policy covers — don’t sign any contract for repairs until an assessment is complete.
  • If you need to pay for emergency repairs or supplies to protect your property, document all costs and keep your receipts.
  • Gear up with sturdy shoes, long pants, long sleeves, and gloves.
  • Be cautious of hazards like nails and broken glass + avoid downed power lines.
 
YMCA of Greenville
 
Events
Editor’s note: Some events may be canceled, changed, or postponed due to inclement weather.

Monday, Sept. 30
  • Movie Mondays | Monday, Sept. 30 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Greenville Beer Exchange Bottle Shop | Free entry | Watch “Hocus Pocus” at this community potluck event, and bring a dish if you are able.
  • Family game day | Monday, Sept. 30 | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | Group Therapy Pub & Playground | $10+ | Bring the kids for mini golf, axe throwing, duck pin bowling, a multi-sports simulator, and ping pong.
Wednesday, Oct. 2
  • Listen to the Land | Wednesday, Oct. 2-Saturday, Oct. 26 | Times vary | Art & Light Gallery | Free entry | Explore the work of Asheville-based artist, Jeremy Russell, who lost his studio in Helene — the exhibit will be online if the studio is closed.
Sunday, Oct. 6
  • Tacos n’ Tequila Fiesta | Sunday, Oct. 6, Sunday, Oct. 6 | Times vary | Events at Judson Mill | $50+ | Enjoy all-you-can-eat tacos and cocktails from local chefs and bartenders — get $5 off your ticket with the code GVLFUN.
Calendar of events here
Click here to have your event featured.
HomeTrust Bank
 
Weather
 

Helene’s impact by the numbers
GVL_Helene_weather_impact_white_duck_taco_SEPT2024
This was a weather event for the record books. | Photo via @whiteduckgvl.airportroad
Helene dropped inches of rain and brought tropical storm-force winds + caused area rivers to rise to historic levels.

We’re breaking down Helene’s historic weather impact by the numbers.

Rainfall totals

  • Greenville recorded 11.53 in of rain.
  • Rocky Bottom in northern Pickens County received the most recorded rain in SC with 21.66 in.

Highest wind gusts

  • Greenville-Spartanburg recorded 68 mph winds.
  • Downtown Greenville recorded 64 mph winds.
  • Sassafras Mountain in Pickens County saw the highest wind speeds in SC at 73 mph.

Reedy River levels

  • Near Falls Park + Unity Park | The river peaked at 16.19 ft compared to 1.1 ft before the storm
  • Near the south end of Downtown Greenville | The river peaked at 13.34 ft (breaking a previous record of 11.9 ft) compared to 0.7 ft before the storm
 
News Notes
Civic
  • Greenville County Emergency Management, Gov. Henry McMaster, Mayor Knox White, and Duke Energy were among the agencies and officials that gave updates on Sunday. Here were the biggest headlines.
Number
  • 210,000. That’s how many Greenville County residents were without power as of last night. The City of Greenville says ~2,000 additional Duke Energy workers arrived in Greenville to repair significant damage to infrastructure like poles and wires. Track the latest numbers as crews continue working to restore power.
Gallery
  • Officials encourage you to stay home and off the roads. To see the impacts of Helene, we’ve put together a gallery of photos from social media and our readers. Scroll through + submit yours.
Edu
  • Greenville County Schools are closed today, Sept. 30 + tomorrow, Oct. 1. The district says it will make a decision for the rest of the week after assessing the road conditions and connectivity.
Asked
  • We’ve seen you in our comments section this weekend — you’re ready to help. If you work with a local organization that is helping with storm recovery and you need volunteers, let us know so we can help get you some helping hands.
Answered
  • We asked, you delivered. This Instagram Post has hundreds of comments recommending local companies that can help with repairs after the storm. Take what you need or add your recommendations.
Cause
Feel Good
  • The Greenville Humane Society lost power and needed foster homes for its dogs and cats. You really showed up, Greenville. Right now, 145 animals are in local foster homes and the kennels are close to cleared.
Announced
Civic
  • Election season is here — be sure to check your sample ballot, polling place, and voter registration. Vote early from Oct. 21 to Nov. 2, or on Election Day (aka, Nov. 5). Prep for the polls.*
Listen
  • Ready to silence the chaos and hear what matters? These next-gen hearing aids are here to crush the noise and put you back in control. With razor-sharp sound and a stealthy design, they’re your little secret. Hear the difference.*
Saint Joseph's Catholic School
 
Weather

🧇 What is the Waffle House Index?

What is the Waffle House index?
GVL_Waffle_House_Index_SEPT2024
The Waffle House on Roper Mountain was also packed Friday morning. | Photo by GVLtoday
You know a storm is serious if the local Waffle House is closed.

City Editor Danielle here. After Helene knocked out power to most of our area, I found myself in search of electricity and phone service to get this article written. It was no surprise to see all of the businesses along Woodruff Road dark and empty, aside from a Waffle House with a packed parking lot and a line out the door.

That’s essentially the idea behind the Waffle House Index, an informal way of measuring the severity of a weather event. Coined by former FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate after Waffle Houses remained open during a tornado in Joplin, Missouri in 2011.

If you’ve ever eaten smothered hash browns in a Waffle House while the apocalypse rages outside, you know what he’s talking about. After all, the diner — which has over 1,900 locations across the US — is known for its preparedness during natural disasters.
How does it work?
Asked

Build your perfect Waffle House hashbrowns:
Let’s have a little fun this Monday morning.
  • Smothered | Onions
  • Covered | American cheese
  • Chunked | Ham
  • Diced | Tomatoes
  • Peppered | Jalapeños
  • Capped | Mushrooms
  • Topped | Chili
  • Country | Gravy
We'll take them scattered...
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More worth The Buy
 
The Wrap
 
Danielle Barilla in a purple lace shirt

Today’s edition by:
Danielle
From the editor
There were so many moments this weekend where I was really proud of our community:
I know there were too many other examples to fit in this small space where people gave away food, helped each other cut down branches, and opened spaces for people to find community.

We saw them all over our social media feeds. Let’s keep it going as we continue to get through this together.
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