Midlands Officials Continue Flood Recovery Efforts

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Columbia , S.C. (WOLO) — On Monday, officials from across the midlands held a press conference to update the public on flood recovery and restoration. Since the historic floods hit last month, the Forest Acres Police Department has been operating out of a mobile command center donated by Belfor. Forest Acres Police Chief Gene Sealy said during the floods, the bottom floor of their department completely flooded, destroying their dispatch center and limiting their ability to organize resources. “We lost communications of everything,” said Chief Sealy. Chief Sealy said one day after the floods, Belfor delivered a 53-foot, 2 story mobile command center. “We were able to get everything up and running; our 911 center, radio communications as well as all of our other computer functions that are vital to the police department,” said Chief Sealy. “We’ve been able to still provide the same service 24 hours a day.” Authorities said service is crucial at they continue to help residents in the community cope with the devastating aftermath left by the floods. “I know it’s raining today, but the suns been shining a lot since the floods been over and people are saying ‘Well life’s back to normal’ but it’s not for some people,” said Sheriff Leon Lott. “For those that are impacted,life’s no where close to normal, they don’t know where they are going to go, they don’t know what’s going to happen to them next.” The mobile command center will stay at the Forest Acres Police Department until they fix the damage from the floods. Officials said they have not determined a timeline for completion.