AIKEN COUNTY, S.C. () — More than seven months after Helene, Aiken County says cleanup is in the final stretch.

“Most of the tree limbs and trees and most of the stuff that’s been left on the side of the road, we’ve had that picked up,” Aiken County Council Chairman Gary Bunker said.

Aiken County leaders say storm debris cleanup is nearly done. Now the focus is on the last stage—getting the stumps out.

“The root balls and stumps are going through barrel grinders because it’s a different process,” he added.

Aiken County is handling cleanup for county roads, with more than 260,000 cubic yards of debris cleared. Aiken and North Augusta are also involved. SC DOT is handling its own cleanup. The county’s using two contractors, but some calls are still coming in.

“People saying, ‘Hey, have you forgotten about me? Or is there somebody coming down this, this road or that road?” Bunker shared.

If you haven’t called in yet—do it now. The Hurricane Helene Debris Hotline will shut down after Wednesday, April 30.

“I think a lot of the citizens of a county have recognized that, you know, this was not just an Aiken County thing. This is something that impacted four states.”

Once this phase wraps up, that’s it. The crews are headed to help in harder-hit spots like western North Carolina and Arkansas. You can call the Debris Hotline at (803) 502-1810.