Charleston Residents Facing Ongoing Power Outages After Hurricane Helene
It’s been nearly a week since Hurricane Helene swept through South Carolina, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. As residents of Charleston and surrounding areas start to pick up the pieces, many are still grappling with the effects of the storm, most notably the lack of power. According to the latest information from PowerOutage.us, as of Wednesday morning, about 490,696 power customers in the Palmetto State are still without electricity, accounting for roughly one-sixth of all customers tracked in the state.
Where Are the Outages?
The impact of Helene was felt hardest in the Midlands, with Richland and Lexington counties reporting more than 17,000 outages combined. Specifically, 4,714 outages were recorded in Richland County, while a staggering 12,583 outages were reported in Lexington County. Overall, the Midlands has about 34,289 customers still without power. Aiken County is also in dire straits, with over 50,000 reported outages.
Dominion Energy, one of the major power providers in the region, reported that out of its 820,703 customers, around 57,102 are still experiencing outages. In Richland and Lexington counties, nearly 9,000 Dominion customers are still waiting for their lights to come back on. Fortunately, this provider has already managed to restore power to about 380,000 customers who were affected by the storm.
Cooperatives and Support
The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina are also doing their part. They’ve restored power to more than 320,000 customers, which makes up about 75% of their outages. However, there are still over 110,000 outages reported by these co-ops statewide, with around 17,073 occurring specifically in the Midlands region.
Meanwhile, Duke Energy reported approximately 323,015 outages across South Carolina, with 1,835 of those being in or around the Midlands. It’s clear that the recovery efforts are a massive undertaking, and the frustration is palpable for those who are still left in the dark.
Restoration Timeline
For those anxiously awaiting the return of power, Dominion Energy has provided estimated restoration timelines. Many counties have reported that they are well on the way to recovery, with most areas seeing over 95% restoration already. Here are some highlights:
- Abbeville: Active restoration in progress
- Aiken: Active restoration in progress
- Allendale: Thursday, 11 p.m.
- Beaufort: Over 95% restored
- Charleston: Over 95% restored
- Richland: Over 95% restored
Residents are encouraged to stay prepared by ensuring their flashlights are working and their mobile devices are charged, just in case they lose power again. To report any outages, customers can reach out through the following numbers:
- Dominion: 888-333-4465
- Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina: 803-796-6060
- Santee Cooper: 888-769-7688
- Duke: 800-769-3766
Moving Forward
As South Carolina begins to heal from the impacts of Hurricane Helene, it is apparent that the road to recovery will take time. Residents are urged to remain patient as power companies work tirelessly to restore service. Remember, sometimes these situations develop quickly, so stay tuned for updates as the restoration process continues. We are all in this together, and with a bit of patience and cooperation, brighter days are ahead.
Author: HERE Greenwood
The GREENWOOD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGreenwood.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Greenwood, Greenwood County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Festival of Flowers, Greenwood Community Theatre performances, and agricultural showcases at the Greenwood County Fairgrounds. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Greenwood United Ministry, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as FujiFilm Manufacturing and Self Regional Healthcare. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
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