Hurricane Helene delivered devastating wind and rain to South Carolina on the morning of September 27, 2024; resulting in a massive number of downed trees that disrupted transportation across the state. Downed trees entangled with power lines even further complicated and delayed the recovery of the transportation system. The South Carolina Department of Transportation recognized an immediate need to align closely with electric utility providers to ensure the quick recovery of both the transit system and the power grid. Clear travel routes and the restoration of electricity to homes and businesses marked the beginning of the state’s recovery. By working alongside power companies to remove trees—even those with complex entanglements—SCDOT crews enabled each agency to focus on their core expertise, accelerating the restoration of both power and the transportation network beyond what was previously possible.