BAMBERG, S.C. () — Thursday marks is one year since an EF-2 tornado tore through downtown Bamberg, South Carolina. “After the tornado, it’s just been the worst year of my life, as far as being a mayor,” Mayor Nancy Foster recalls. “Because after we had the tornado, we had Debbie and then we had five, seven inches of rain after Debbie.”

On Jan. 9, 2024, an EF-2 tornado hit downtown Bamberg. Historic buildings were damaged, and one destroyed. A roof blew off a building, debris filled the streets, and much of Highway 301 was closed.

A year in, progress is visible. Crews tore down buildings, while many are still empty. Main Street United Methodist got a new roof, and businesses are back. The Waste Management team stepped up to help.

“They’ve been sending in a grapple truck a couple times a week, helping us as well, as well as our own person,” Mayor Foster said. “It’s been a real cleanup, massive cleanup, but we are there. We getting there.”

But the recovery’s been tough. The city didn’t reach the $9 million FEMA aid goal. “We got about 3 million,” she recalled. “Not a lot of help. But we did get help for residents needing small interest loans at 2%.”

A new development’s underway next to Veterans Park with a discovery center. Blackwater Barrel is reopening, and businesses like McDonald’s are moving downtown. More are planned at a three-building site and the former Roclon plant. “We have someone else coming in that we haven’t announced yet, but they’re already working. I think we’ll be making that announcement soon.”

Rusty and Paula’s is back open. Last year, we showed you the torn roof and water damage. Now, everything is replaced, and the kitchen looks brand new.

“It was a loss when it was down, when it was closed,” Charles Hayes said. “These people are good people. The food’s good. I’ve been coming here for a good long while, but I’m glad it’s open again.”