NICHOLS, SC (WBTW) – Nichols is in recovery mode again just after repairing the damage done by Hurricane Matthew.
Mayor Lawson Battle says at least 97% of the 150 houses that were restored after Matthew were impacted by Hurricane Florence. He says 4 churches, 11 businesses, the town hall and several roads also flooded.
Mayor Battle says the Department of Transportation will conduct damage assessment as soon as possible but as of right now, it hasn’t been deemed safe for people to drive into town. For the time being, members of the National Guard are taking residents into town on boats and trucks until further notice.
“We still have a lot of water downtown and in certain areas. But the water is receding. It’s going to be a few days before citizens can get their own vehicles back in because there’s a lot of roads that wouldn’t be able to maneuver with the water. But we are letting them come in on the number nine side of Horry County from 10 to 5 with the National Guard,” he said.
Mayor Battle also says town officials and residents were more prepared for Hurricane Florence than they were for Hurricane Matthew, as they knew what to expect this time and took necessary precautions.
“The Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the National Guard, SLED, DNR, we all worked on this for four days prior to the storm,” he said. “The difference with Florence was there was so much talk of possible flooding and it doing the same thing as Matthew or worse. A lot of people at least left town but also a good amount of people packed up as much of their stuff and moved it to higher ground.”
Mayor Battle tells News13 he reached out to Governor Henry McMaster and President Donald Trump for assistance. He says President Trump assured him help is on the way.
