Aiken City reports more than 93,500 cubic yards of debris collected after Hurricane Helene; FEMA center open through Jan. 7

City Manager Mr. Beadonville told the Aiken City Council on Dec. 9 that city staff and contractors have collected a large volume of storm debris after Hurricane Helene and that federal and state recovery resources remain available to residents.

“We estimate approximately 46,976 cubic yards of debris have been collected by city staff,” Beadonville said during the council meeting. He said contractor SDR had collected 46,568 cubic yards through Dec. 8, and that, when combined with state and city collections, the total exceeds 93,500 cubic yards.

The city has established a debris processing site at Citizens Park where contractors are grinding and hauling material, Beadonville said. Because of contaminants in some storm debris, the city is not offering mulch to the public and is not using it for city purposes.

FEMA is operating a disaster recovery center for the declared disaster (Declaration No. 20703) at Mount Zion Baptist Church, 17519 Atomic Road, Aiken, that will remain open through at least Jan. 7, 2025. Beadonville said the center is open Monday–Saturday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Antoine Harris, public affairs specialist with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Field Operations Center — East Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience, told council that SBA disaster loans are available for businesses, homeowners and renters. “It is a very low interest loan,” Harris said, adding that applicants who are approved face no obligation to accept the loan and that certain loans offer a 12‑month, no‑interest period and have no prepayment penalty.

Beadonville told council that recycling pickup returned to its normal alternating-week schedule the week of Dec. 2, contractors have begun paver repair in the downtown business district, and the city expects Christmas at Hopelands to open as scheduled Dec. 14.

He said the city has spent more than $961,000 on hurricane-related expenses so far, not including payroll, and that staff expect to publicize a final call for storm debris collection with advance notice before the final date is announced.

The city manager also asked residents to watch the city’s social media accounts and website for updates on debris collection and recovery announcements.

Why it matters: The volume of collected debris and the presence of a FEMA disaster recovery center indicate ongoing recovery needs for households and businesses; the SBA loan information gives affected residents and small businesses a federal option for short‑term recovery financing.

What to watch next: The city will announce the date for a final debris collection call and continue additional passes in neighborhoods as needed. Residents seeking in-person federal assistance may visit the FEMA disaster recovery center through at least Jan. 7.