It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic BallentineShealy House gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Chapin, SC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Lisa helped my family understand the best options for my parents and the resources available.”
“Always Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them”
“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any”
“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the”
“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource”
“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care was just absolutely wonderful. I”
“I love working for this company.”
“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not”
“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and”
“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing”
“I am a past client of this provider Services were geared according to need. We were”
“I am a past client of this provider I used this nursing service for my cousin”
“Chuck and his personnel are truly the best. They helped us with mom and always”
“Lisa helped my family understand the best options for my parents and the resources available. She has great contacts and helped guide us thru the process. We received wonderful service. Thanks!”
“Always Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them twice, both in emergency situations and they have treated us as if we were their only clients. Within an hour of our first call, we had paperwork completed and a caregiver on the way – and that was a holiday weekend. When the second emergency occurred, we knew exactly who to contact. We truly appreciate everything that Lisa, Melissa and the entire team have done for our family.”
“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any family living close to him. My sister and I were relived to know he was well taken care of. The caregivers truly care about your loved ones.”
“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the office staff and caregivers were professional and caring- would definitely recommend if you need care at home-”
“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource in providing services to our patients!”
“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care was just absolutely wonderful. I needed to qualify people who could deal with my sister with brain cancer. My sister would throw people in and out of her house; it was crazy. She died on December 5th. Always Best Care sent incredible people. I don't know where they came from, but they had one girl who was the only person my sister never attempted to throw out of the house. I'd never hear one bad word about this woman who was actually pulling double shifts at the end because my sister liked her so much. For some reason, this woman understood my sister and brain cancer. Brain cancer is hard to deal with because people could be pretty mean and abusive and they don't know what they're doing really. My sister was also going blind at the same time. It was not easy. I just wanted to say what wonderful care we received from Always Best Care. It was amazing. They were just coming and being there. My sister was crazy, and she didn't want anybody overnight, until she finally let me have someone come in overnight. On that night, she died. She got to die in her home, which is what I'm trying to do because that too was the most important thing of all. Always Best Care was able to staff at short notice and send really good people. I was impressed, and I would highly recommend them. They would help my sister get to the bathroom. She weighed 70 pounds when she died, but she was still able to walk. She had cancers on both her femurs, and her blood pressure was 80/47. They just helped with everything, like fixing her small meals, fixing coffee, and talking to her if she wanted to talk or not talking to her if she didn't want to talk. They were just very great with their help. My sister had brain cancer and she was belligerent. Always Best Care would find people within their staff. Also, it didn't take them long, I didn't have to wait. We had letters from others saying they don't have staff right now. With Always Best Care, I did it over the phone with a woman who was a Godsend. I think the caregiver was sent almost the first day and was there every day except on the weekend when they sent someone else. That person seemed to work out OK, too, which amazed me. For some reason, these people knew how to appease someone who is really crazy. It was the cancer; it was in my sister's head. You have to be tough-skinned and just realize that this is the disease talking to you and not a person. They were able to do that, and I feel very blessed.”
“I love working for this company.”
“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not express the level of care and compassion that was shown for her. The nurses felt like family! Especially Alicia. You treated my cousin as if she was your family and I can't thank you enough for that. You not only took care of her but us also. I would recommend this service 100%! We only used them for 1 month as my cousin passed quickly. I d not have a single negative remark. Thank you Chuck! Your nurses are amazing.”
“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and support me daily! We have many calls to work on performance and continue to grow and learn!”
“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing to see what was needed. Very flexible and focused needs of patient All caregivers were on time We had a great experience”
“I am a past client of this provider Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing to see what was needed. Very flexible and focused needs of patient All caregivers were on time We had a great experience”
“I am a past client of this provider I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not express the level of care and compassion that was shown for her. The nurses felt like family! Especially Alicia. You treated my cousin as if she was your family and I can't thank you enough for that. You not only took care of her but us also. I would recommend this service 100%! We only used them for 1 month as my cousin passed quickly. I d not have a single negative remark. Thank you Chuck! Your nurses are amazing. Donna O.”
“Chuck and his personnel are truly the best. They helped us with mom and always focused on the care and not a much of processes and forms. I would highly recommend them to all.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Crooked Creek Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Chophouse of Chapin, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Chapin, SC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Chapin, SC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Chapin, SC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
CHAPIN, S.C. (WIS) - Cleanup began Tuesday in the Chapin area after a confirmed EF-1 tornado left damage just hours earlier. “I went inside my house. My mom came in and she was dripped down and she was rained on,” said Chapin resident, Kayla Dempsey.Dempsey says the rain they expected escalated quickly.“I got a notification on my phone and after that I heard the thunder,” she said...
CHAPIN, S.C. (WIS) - Cleanup began Tuesday in the Chapin area after a confirmed EF-1 tornado left damage just hours earlier.
“I went inside my house. My mom came in and she was dripped down and she was rained on,” said Chapin resident, Kayla Dempsey.
Dempsey says the rain they expected escalated quickly.
“I got a notification on my phone and after that I heard the thunder,” she said.
The National Weather Service said the tornado began Monday night on a peninsula of Lake Murray along Caro Lane near Chapin, reaching peak wind speeds of 95 miles per hour.
In six minutes, NWS said the tornado pushed through six miles and was up to 200 yards wide.
Matthew Long with Dominion Energy said Monday’s severe weather caused sporadic power outages in Lexington County and as far south as Aiken on its power grid.
Meanwhile, snapped limbs and debris were found around Crooked Creek Park and Old Lexington Highway in Chapin, with additional damage behind Northshore Drive.
Cleanup crews spent much of Tuesday clearing roads of fallen trees, with Lake Tide Drive later on Tuesday after clearing trees and debris.
Officials also said no injuries have been reported.
Dempsey said she’s grateful it wasn’t worse.
“We were scared that if the power went out,” she said. “But the power didn’t go out. I could hear the thunderstorms, but I’m pretty sure the tornado happened away from [us]. It was a surreal moment.”
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COLUMBIA, S.C. — The National Weather Service confirms a tornado formed in Chapin along Lake Murray during Monday night's severe weather.Survey teams went up to Chapin Tuesday morning and confirmed that a twister struck near the Lake Tide Drive area on the northern side of the lake. The weather service later said the storm was an EF-1, which is the second lowest rating on the...
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The National Weather Service confirms a tornado formed in Chapin along Lake Murray during Monday night's severe weather.
Survey teams went up to Chapin Tuesday morning and confirmed that a twister struck near the Lake Tide Drive area on the northern side of the lake. The weather service later said the storm was an EF-1, which is the second lowest rating on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, which measures a tornado's strength. It's estimated the storm had peaks winds of 95 miles an hour.
According to the survey team, the twister was about 200 yards wide and traveled a 6.17 mile long path. It existed for about six minutes total beginning at 8:43 p.m.
A map of the track shows the tornado formed on the lake and then moved onto Highwater Court. It then traveled a east-northeast path where it crossed Amicks Ferry Road. It was at peak intensity when it crossed Lake Tide Drive, went back briefly over water twice as it crossed Sandbar Road, then went back on land. It crossed Odld bush River Road and passed just north of Chapin Elementary School. It went over Highway 76 before finally dissipating near Old Lauren Lane.
The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for that area as a wave of powerful storms moved through the area. Multiple people posted pictures and videos taken in that time frame that showed impressive looking clouds near Lake Murray.
The storms began picking up in intensity around 7:30 p.m., first moving into Saluda and Newberry Counties. They then began entering the central Midlands a little after 8 p.m.
There were reports of some trees down and damaged power lines. Lexington County had the most outages, with over 3,000 at the peak of the storm.
Strong to severe storms have been a constant for several days, including the weekend, across many parts of South Carolina. The culprit is a series of cold fronts that have all lost their speed, becoming stationary, and meander around close enough to bring instability. Combined with the instability, plenty of moisture is still pumping in from the Gulf, feeding the storm development and keeping the atmosphere muggy and warm.On Monday, there were over 50 reports of damaging winds, and a tornado was reported about 30 miles northwest of Co...
Strong to severe storms have been a constant for several days, including the weekend, across many parts of South Carolina. The culprit is a series of cold fronts that have all lost their speed, becoming stationary, and meander around close enough to bring instability. Combined with the instability, plenty of moisture is still pumping in from the Gulf, feeding the storm development and keeping the atmosphere muggy and warm.
On Monday, there were over 50 reports of damaging winds, and a tornado was reported about 30 miles northwest of Columbia near Chapin in Lexington County. It happened shortly before 9 p.m., and many residents reported lights flickering. The tornado could have had maximum peak winds of 95 mph, making it an EF-1. It is estimated that it traveled over 6 miles and had a width of 200 yards, leaving several trees and power lines down.
Forecast for the coming days
Wednesday will be a transitional day with some isolated thunderstorms confined to the Lowcountry, Pee Dee, and some over the eastern Midlands. A stationary front will keep most showers and isolated storm activity over I-20 and eastward. At the same time, the Upstate and the western Midlands will stay under partly sunny skies, and a few showers in the morning.
Thursday and Friday promise to be more active across most of the state. The stationary front will fizzle out, but another front, a warm one, will bring the instability. Showers and storms are forecast to start the day on Thursday across the eastern half, then become scattered statewide in the afternoon. By evening, a few storms will likely affect Augusta, Ga., Columbia, Florence, and the surrounding areas. Storms will move from southwest to northeast, developing multiple lightning strikes. There is no identified risk for organized severe storms, but remember that some isolated storms could be strong to severe.
The weekend in South Carolina seems to stay with the southwest humid flow, so there will be a chance for thunderstorms, mainly in the afternoon and early evenings.
An EF-1 tornado with 95 mph winds touched down in Chapin, South Carolina, toppling trees and blocking roads, but causing no major infrastructure damage.CHAPIN, S.C. — The National Weather Service confirmed that an EF-1 tornado with winds reaching 95 mph touched down in Chapin Monday night, leaving behind a trail of damage along Lake Side Drive.Crews with the So...
An EF-1 tornado with 95 mph winds touched down in Chapin, South Carolina, toppling trees and blocking roads, but causing no major infrastructure damage.
CHAPIN, S.C. — The National Weather Service confirmed that an EF-1 tornado with winds reaching 95 mph touched down in Chapin Monday night, leaving behind a trail of damage along Lake Side Drive.
Crews with the South Carolina Department of Transportation were out Tuesday clearing downed trees and debris from the road, which had been blocked earlier in the day. Residents say the storm initially didn’t seem unusual—until the tornado warning came through.
“We were sitting out on our back screened-in patio, and all of a sudden a gust of wind came and sideways rain,” said Lisa O’Donovan, a Chapin resident.
“I just heard the loudest strike of thunder. All of a sudden, every light in my house goes off. The house shakes a little bit,” added Matthew Cook, another resident.
The tornado moved off Lake Murray and crossed Lake Side Drive, snapping hardwood trees in its path. The National Weather Service’s Chris Rohrbach confirmed the storm’s strength based on the damage.
“We had snapped trees, snapped hardwood trees, which speeds to do that would typically line up with an EF-1 tornado,” Rohrbach said.
He says the tornado developed quickly on the northern edge of a larger thunderstorm squall line, causing damage primarily to trees along its path, affecting roads including Carol Lane, Lake Tide Drive, and Old Lexington Highway, the tornado passed near several homes but caused no structural damage or injuries. It dissipated just before reaching Interstate 26, with snapped hardwood trees serving as the primary evidence of its destructive path.
Chapin town officials say their public works crews handled only minor cleanup Tuesday and reported no major damage to the town’s water system.
Heavy rainfall in May exacerbated a persistent problem in Chapin: the tendency for the town’s sewer pipes to overflow.The town of Chapin suffered two sanitary sewer overflows this month, one on May 12 and another just days later on May 16, the S.C. Department of Environmental Services said. Both overflows caused sewage to enter Lake Murray, just yards away from a pump station. The town posted required community notices about the overflows both times.Records from the environmental agency show that both overflows occurred i...
Heavy rainfall in May exacerbated a persistent problem in Chapin: the tendency for the town’s sewer pipes to overflow.
The town of Chapin suffered two sanitary sewer overflows this month, one on May 12 and another just days later on May 16, the S.C. Department of Environmental Services said. Both overflows caused sewage to enter Lake Murray, just yards away from a pump station. The town posted required community notices about the overflows both times.
Records from the environmental agency show that both overflows occurred in the same area, near Murray Lindler Road and Old Bush River Road, where Crooked Creek empties into an inlet of the lake. One incident led to 30,000 gallons overflowing in an eight-hour period, the agency notes. The other caused 90,000 gallons to overflow in about five hours.
The first instance was attributed to heavy rainfall, while the other was caused by a broken bypass pump that required the town to close the main valve.
“The utility properly notified [DES] of both overflows and took appropriate and immediate actions to stop both overflows, including the use of vacuum trucks,” an agency spokesperson said in an email.
Chapin attributed the May 12 leak to 2.7 inches of rain falling in a six-hour period. The problem was exacerbated by damage done to the Old Bush River pump station when a car hit it several months ago. The town has purchased a new pump, but rain has hampered efforts to install it.
“The station was hit by a vehicle which damaged our permanently mounted back up pump and piping,” Town Administrator Nicholle Burroughs said in an email. “Under normal conditions, the station runs with three pumps to ensure reliable service, but following an auto-related incident, only two pumps are currently in operation.”
Testing revealed that the overflow was “highly diluted” and consisted primarily of rainwater. The spill site was also sampled and laboratory results showed bacteria levels were within normal lake levels.
Sewer overflows have been an ongoing problem for Chapin’s town water system, which serves around 7,000 households north of Lake Murray. In 2022 and again in 2023, rainfall led to around 2,000 gallons of runoff near the lake.
“In the past, this wastewater collection system has had inflow and infiltration issues, especially after significant rain events,” the Department of Environmental Services said. “The Town has made adjustments to the collection system to help mitigate these overflows, and SCDES staff are in contact with the system about additional steps to address the issues.”
“A lift station that leaks 120,000 gallons of sewage water in two separate spills within several days into a small cove of the lake is a concern,” said Charli Wessinger, who represents the area on Lexington County Council. “I’ve heard from many constituents in the unincorporated areas around Chapin of sewer smells and leaks from multiple sewer pump and lift stations. I’ve reached out to SCDES to help with this situation as it has become a potential health concern for the environment and the lake.”
The town posted to Facebook to blame the sewer overflows on heavy rainfall, saying it is a common cause of overflows.
“Sewer systems are not designed or intended to transport or treat rainwater,” the Facebook post reads. “The sewer collection system will handle the additional flow for a while, but eventually it gets to maximum capacity and then overflows at the lowest opening in the area. Many times, this is at our pump stations.”
Besides the environmental impact, overflows can increase costs on town residents and water customers. The town said sewer overflows double the water department’s electrical, chemical and contractor costs. Outside contractors have to come in to clean up spills and transport waste to the town’s wastewater treatment plant.
“We, more than anybody want to prevent these overflows and have been working diligently for years now to identify the causes and resolve them,” such as adding a $1.6 million surge basin at the wastewater plant to hold excess flows, and upgrading pump stations and main lines to handle higher flows, the town said. “We are currently spending in excess of $4.5 million to install the largest size sewer main in Chapin’s history, to relieve the higher pressures in the sewer mains that slow the flow to the WWTP.” That project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
But the true solution to the problem, the town says, is keeping rainwater out of the sewer system in the first place.
Chapin has conducted “smoke tests” around town to identify where rainwater might be entering the system. The town blows smoke into pipes and looks for areas where the smoke escapes as possible entry points. Photos posted by Chapin of a street where a smoke test was being performed showed plumes of white smoke shooting out of cracks in sidewalks, residents’ lawns and even the gutters of a home.
“The smoke tests have shown us so far that 98% of these identified sources are on the homeowners’ pipes not the utility’s mains,” the town’s statement said. These house pipes are the responsibility of the homeowner to maintain.
“We are sure there will be a few sources that are on utility-owned mains, but it is far more likely the majority of these rainwater intrusions are coming from the pipes within the yards of the approximately 7,000 sewer customers currently tied into our system.”
At its May 20 meeting, Chapin Town Council approved the next phase of a planned expansion of the town’s wastewater treatment plant. The town approved a $1.04 million contract with AECOM Engineering to upgrade the plant’s main line as well as engineering work on the plant itself. The upgrade is actually required because the utility is projected to reach 80% of its current plant capacity in as little as 10 years, or sooner if a new industrial project locates in the area.
“The engineering and expansion of the wastewater treatment plant is not a response to recent rain-related events, but rather a proactive measure to responsibly plan for future demands,” Burroughs said. “This initiative reflects the Town’s commitment to staying ahead of growth and ensuring our infrastructure is prepared to support continued development in a sustainable and efficient manner.
“To this end, the recent implementation of impact fees ensures that developers contribute an equitable share of the costs associated with any new development,” she added, pointing to fees paid by developers bringing new projects to the area. “These fees help offset the strain placed on our infrastructure, particularly from projects originating outside our jurisdictional boundaries.”
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