GREENVILLE – Greenville Union Cemetery superintendent Tracy Tryon has been busy following the recent tornado that ripped through the local cemetery.
Tryon noted that 42 large trees have been felled, and another 20-25 trees will have to be felled because of their extensive damage.
Greenville Union Cemetery Superintendent Tracy Tryon appreciates the volunteering support but has to turn much of the help away due to liability.
“Some people have stepped up to volunteer with chainsaws and help us that way, but because of liability, our insurance said not to accept that,” said Tryon. “Some people have come out with leaf rakes and helped us that way. We can do that, and it’s a big help to us because it helps get the debris to the street that we can get picked up, but for the most part, people have stayed out.”
Tryon appreciates the community’s support and volunteering but knows the dangers involved.
“It’s dangerous because of the equipment that is moving around, and because some of the fallen trees could spring back and injure someone,” he said. “We want folks to stay out of the old part of the cemetery.”
While the trees took a large hit, most of the large monuments were spared damage from the falling trees and debris.
“The trees fell and just wrapped around them,” Tryon noted. “Some smaller monuments are tipped over, and we will reset them. Local monument companies have been volunteering to help us do that. The ones that are damaged the families will have to work something out with their insurance.”
According to Trion, no burials have taken place and are not planned for the next few days, but the new section of the cemetery should be open today, Friday, with most of the cleanup completed.
“I have nothing scheduled for the rest of the week,” Tryon stated. “I’ve contacted the funeral homes, and they are arranging things for beginning next week.”
The cost of the damage is estimated to be in the area of $75,000, not covered by insurance.
“One of the board members has mentioned setting up a fund to help buy new trees,” Tryon said. “We’re going to have to replace many trees through donations. There will be something coming about that shortly.”
