The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has been working since mid-March in more than 30 counties to remove fallen trees and other debris from the state’s highways that resulted from a series of tornadoes that struck the state.

Transportation Secretary H.B. “Buck” Limehouse Jr. said the resulting damage has been enormous.

“This is an emergency situation for our state’s highways in the affected areas. Our employees have been working 10-hour days to remove the piled up debris from the roadsides which have created great hazards,” Limehouse said. “I applaud the dedication of SCDOT employees to make the roads safe again.”

Limehouse noted that crews from less affected counties assisted SCDOT workers in the hardest-hit counties.

Allendale County emerged as one of the hardest hit areas. Allendale workers were being assisted by crews and equipment from Barnwell, Hampton, Bamberg, Colleton, Dorchester and Jasper counties. Richland County crews also were assisting in Kershaw County.