Columbia, S.C. (September 26, 2025) - The South Carolina Department of Transportation along with Governor Henry McMaster and the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism, gathered at Jones Gap State Park today to recognize the state's progress in the year since Hurricane Helene.
Following the storm, more than 900 state roads were closed. In the weeks following, SCDOT reopened 859 of those roads. Within the past year, SCDOT and our partners have been able to fully reopen 99% of those locations.
SCDOT collected 5.4 million cubic yards of debris leftover from the storm. Damage assessments found more than $50 million in road and bridge damages which the General Assembly graciously appropriated $35 million to match federal funds for the recovery.
Secretary of Transportation Justin Powell said, "The SCDOT team is proud to have worked alongside our federal, state, and local partners to get South Carolina back on track following this devastating storm. Our accomplishments during recovery have taught us lessons that will enable us to be more resilient in the future. SCDOT remains committed to serving the state of South Carolina and her people."
