South Carolina officials have estimated timber industry losses of nearly $200 million in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. SC Forestry Commission personnel assessed the damage from the air and ground.
The heaviest losses in terms of value were Edgefield, Spartanburg, Pickens, McCormick and Aiken counties with total timber damage estimated to be $83 million across a 20-county area.
The agency estimated losses for the forest industry at around $32 million and approximately $60 million in urban forest damage which does not include the cost of replacing lost trees in cities and towns, and is therefore a conservative estimate.
The Forest Commission said these are preliminary estimates and a full damage assessment report is forthcoming