Strong rains and winds from Hurricane Helene devastated roadways across eastern Tennessee and North Carolina last month. Officials said though Kentucky also experienced harsh weather, the clean-up process has been smooth in Rowan County. After assessing the wreckage from the storm, the Rowan County Road Department reported roadways did not sustain any major damage, and all are currently passable.
Steve Kelsey is the Road Foreman with the Rowan County Road Department. He said by next week, roadways are predicted to be about 85% cleared, putting crews right back on schedule for resurfacing this fall.
“Our job this week, we are going around to these roads that are going to be resurfaced. I feel pretty confident that we can get all those roads ready for resurfacing. Our contractor for the blacktop is supposed to be in this area next week,” said Kelsey.
Crews will be resurfacing in various areas through the fall, including Pine Hills, the 801 area, Poplar Hollow in Cranston, and Morehead Estates.
Kelsey said his office couldn’t have gotten this far in the recovery and cleanup effort without the help of three other crews working alongside them. He added as the workers finish the job, he asks drivers to be patient.
“Kindly work with us, just give us a little time. We try not to hold traffic up no more than we have to. Sometimes we do have to close the road too, you know, get a tree out or whatever, but what everybody is doing is just benefiting the citizens of this county,” said Kelsey.
Kelsey explained the most precious resource during the clean-up has been manpower, which has been attained through this county-wide teamwork. Thanks to the help, Kelsey said the department hasn’t experienced much financial strain from the storm.