Hurricane Helene left several businesses and government agencies closed as it swept through the state with high winds and heavy rain early Friday morning. But some places are open. Here are a few.
What’s open:
The Riverbanks Zoo is closed during the day but will reopen Friday at 7 p.m. for “Zoofari,” the zoo’s 50th annual evening of “cocktails, food and conservation.” The event is scheduled from 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM and Riverbanks will resume normal operating hours on Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
All City of Columbia outdoor parks are open. There are a few downed trees in some parks, which are being cleared, City of Columbia spokesman Justin Stevens wrote via email. However, all recreation buildings are closed.
Frankie’s Fun Park in Columbia posted on Facebook: “Don’t let the rain dampen your spirits! Take your gang to Frankie’s for unlimited fun.” The park normally opens at 12 noon.
Columbiana Center is open for regular hours, Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Some places will be closed here from 12 noon on Friday.
Several state parks were affected by the storm and will be closed all day and possibly longer so park rangers can assess the damage, according to the South Carolina State Park website.
The list of closures will be updated as damage is assessed, but the following were closed as of Friday morning:
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Caesar’s head
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Calhoun Falls
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Croft
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Baker Creek
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Dreher
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Hamilton branch
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Hickory bud
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Hunting island
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Greenwood Lake
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Lake Hartwell
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Lake Wateree
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Landsford Canal
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May Bos
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Parisian mountain
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Sadlers Creek
Trails in Caesars Head, Devils Fork, Keowee-Toxaway, Oconee and Table Rock are closed due to flooding and heavy rain.
Congaree National Park closed Thursday and will remain closed Friday, as will Longleaf and Bluff Campgrounds, according to the National Parks website. Updates on closures will be posted via their website or social media.
The Richland County Recreation Commission closed all facilities on Friday. All after-school programs were suspended Friday and all athletic programs and recreation committee competitions were also canceled for Friday. Commission outdoor programs and sports competitions on fields are suspended through Saturday, the recreation commission wrote on Facebook.
LinRick Golf Course will be closed Friday, the commission posted on its Facebook page.
The Columbia Museum of Art, the EdVenture Columbia Children’s museum and the South Carolina State museum are all closed Friday due to the weather.
Most emergency medical care centers in Lexington are closed, with the exception of the Northeast location, 3016 Longtown Commons Dr., and the Lexington location, 811 W Main St, Lexington.
All other urgent care locations will remain closed today due to power problems, the organization reports via X. Contact the urgent care location before your visit.
This is a development story. Check back for more information.
