Bamberg tornado cleanup continues: Officials ask owners to demolish damaged buildings

The downtown portion of U.S. Highway 301 has been closed since the tornado because officials believe some buildings pose a danger along the route.

Bamberg Mayor Nancy Foster said it is important to get the road back open.

“It is a federal highway,” she said. “It is heavily traveled.”

She said the city has received a number of complaints from individuals who live on Calhoun Street about the increased traffic due to the closure of U.S. 301.

“The heavy truck traffic is now happening on Calhoun Street,” Foster said.

The tornado, with winds estimated at 125 mph, toppled several buildings and severely damaged others along U.S. Highway 301.

A structural engineering firm and a building inspector have declared several damaged structures unsafe and a danger to the public.

In most cases, they determined the affected buildings must be completely demolished and cleared before city roads and streets can be reopened, according to Bamberg County officials.

“The safety and health of all Bamberg citizens is the primary concern for city and county officials who implore property owners of the affected buildings to immediately comply with the demolition process,” Bamberg County said in a press release.

“Highway 301/601 is a major trucking thoroughfare,” Bamberg County Administrator Joey Preston said. “Closure could have major negative economic impacts to the City of Bamberg and Bamberg County.”

Foster has head some building owners have applied for asbestos abatement permits.

“It has been a process,” she said.

Thus far, the former city hall building at 3069 Main Highway has been demolished.

Robert Thomas, executive director of Southeastern Housing and Community Development, owned the building – the tallest on Main Street. Thomas was in the process of initiating a downtown revitalization effort with improvements to the property when the tornado hit.

The tornado severely damaged the building, only leaving the back wall remaining. The building was empty, but was insured.

“Our building was not salvageable, so we tore it down,” Thomas said. “We tore it down with our own resources.”

Thomas is unsure if any funding will become available to help reimburse the cost of the cleanup.

Thomas owns two more buildings in the downtown area.

“We have not made any final determinations of the best use of the buildings,” Thomas said.

Harry Talmage owns the building at 3059 Main Highway that is in danger of collapse. He claims he cannot proceed with demolition until his neighbor at 3055 Main Highway applies for a demolition permit and contracts with a demolition contractor.

Building inspectors have said both buildings need to come down, county officials say.

“I notified my property insurance provider who has independently assessed the damage and is making a determination of coverage,” Talmage said. “A structural engineer has evaluated the property and recommended that the two structures I own at 3059 Main Highway be demolished.”

The city’s building code’s officer has also condemned the building, Talmage said.

Talmage says he has been in communication with both city and county officials throughout the process.

“I have obtained the necessary demolition permits,” Talmage said. “After hiring a demolition contractor, I was able to clean up a portion of my property; however, I cannot complete the process until the adjacent property owner also begins demolition.”

Talmage says his property is privately insured and does not qualify for FEMA or state assistance.

Talmage had rehabilitated about 80 percent of the upstairs for use as commercial office space when the tornado destroyed the buildings.

The owner of the building at 3055 Main Highway could not immediately be reached for comment.

According to county officials, buildings that have been cited by building inspectors include:

• The back part of the building located at 3168 Main Highway needs to be demolished and the front section must be stabilized and repaired.

• 3221 Main Highway must either be demolished or the front façade must be stabilized and repaired.

“Letters have been sent to the property owners requiring them to appropriately and timely address the issues,” Preston said.

Preston said the county is requesting aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Small Business Administration and the state to grant direct support to the owners.

“The county has waived all landfill disposal fees to expedite the removal of the debris, which will provide some financial assistance to property owners,” Preston said. “There may be state or federal assistance available for uninsured properties; however, we are awaiting that determination.”

City and county officials continue to work with property owners, insurance companies, the S.C. Emergency Management Division, the Department of Commerce, the S.C. Department of Transportation, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, state Sen. Brad Hutto and state Rep. Justin Bamberg to expedite the clean-up process on the highway.

Approximately 20 to 30 Bamberg businesses were damaged by the storm, with 10 being completely destroyed, according to the SCEMD.

About 20 homes were affected, with one being destroyed.

Several Bamberg County and city buildings were also damaged including the courthouse, which had roof damage, and city hall, which had minor damage.

The majority of storm damage was concentrated in the downtown area.

Despite the significant damage, one was injured.

The city and county of Bamberg have both passed ordinances declaring a state of emergency. The declarations were made with the hopes of receiving state funding for cleanup.