When Hurricane Helene swept through our region, it brought with it not just heavy winds and rain, but a storm system that would leave a lasting mark on our stretch of the Saluda River. The storm dumped historic amounts of rainfall over a short period, causing the river to swell far beyond its normal banks.

The sheer force of the floodwaters eroded our riverbank and uprooted trees. Entire sections of land disappeared into the current, forever changing the shape of the river’s edge. As the waters surged, they carried with them massive amounts of debris—fallen trees, broken docks, twisted metal, and household items swept from yards and homes. When the flood finally receded, it left behind a chaotic landscape: piles of debris lodged in bends and coves, silt coating once-clear banks, and scars in the earth where the river had carved its way through.

This event has become a defining chapter in the story of our community and our river. Hurricane Helene didn’t just pass through; it reshaped the land, challenged our resilience, and left us with the task of rebuilding—not just structures, but our connection to the river we call home.

Even with all of our clean up efforts, it is very hard to complain about storm clean up and damage here in our area when our neighbors in NC suffered so much loss.

As you float down the river, you will see downed trees and debris. The property on either side of the river is privately owned and our neighbors are still cleaning up. This effort will take some time. We are happy to welcome everyone back to the river and appreciate all the love for our stretch of the Saluda River.