COLUMBIA, S.C. — Twenty miles of trails in Cayce, including the Riverwalk and Timmerman Trail, have remained closed for two weeks following the heavy damage and flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. The storm, which touched down in the Midlands, left behind significant debris and hazardous conditions along the popular outdoor paths.
Billy Terry, a Cayce resident who lives near the Riverwalk entrance at H. Kelly Jones Park, shared that his backyard overlooks the Congeree River as he recalled how close the floodwaters got to his home.
“It’s concerning, very concerning,” Terry said when asked what was on his mind as the river quickly rose during the storm.
While Terry appreciates the peaceful view of the river from his home, he admitted that the tranquility was overshadowed by worry during Hurricane Helene.
“This last hurricane, the neighborhood back here flooded somewhat,” Terry explained. “It’s a low-lying area, and the houses on the river are at a little higher elevation, so we don’t quite get the flooding they get. But it’s a lot of water coming up and down that river.”
At its peak, the floodwaters came within 24 feet of Terry’s home, including the area where he sleeps. He noted that not everyone in Cayce was as fortunate.
The city's Riverwalk, located along the Congaree River, was hit particularly hard. Photos and videos show the trail littered with heavy debris, fallen trees, and a thick layer of mud and sediment where the river overflowed.
A city spokesperson told News19 that the flooding on the Riverwalk during Hurricane Helene was only a foot lower than what was seen during the devastating 2015 flood. Terry echoed this, pointing to a marker in his yard that shows how high the water rose.
“This marker here is the high-water mark from the last flood we had,” Terry said. “In 2015, it came up to almost the exact same amount. Thirty-one feet is about as high as we have ever seen it in the 53 years we’ve lived here.”
The Cayce Parks Department has spent over 200 hours clearing and repairing the trails since the storm hit, working tirelessly to restore the popular recreation spots.
In some good news, the department announced Friday afternoon that they will reopen phases three and four of the Riverwalk, as well as the Timmerman Trail, on Saturday, Oct. 12. However, phases one and two will remain closed until further notice.