South Carolina Suffers Major Power Outages Following Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene has caused nearly one million power outages in South Carolina alone and nearly 2.5 million across several southeastern states. The storm has led to significant property damage and loss of life, with ongoing power restoration efforts expected to continue throughout the weekend.

South Carolina is currently experiencing a significant power outage affecting nearly one million homes and businesses due to the impact of Hurricane Helene. As of 12:30 p.m. ET, the state has reported approximately 894,495 customers without electricity, the highest number among the states impacted by the storm, according to data from PowerOutage.US. Following South Carolina, Georgia and North Carolina are experiencing outages of 671,367 and 547,630, respectively. In total, approximately 2.5 million households and businesses across the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, and Virginia are facing power outages as a result of the hurricane’s destructive path. The storm has not only caused extensive power outages but has also led to historic flooding and inflicted property damages estimated between $15 billion and $26 billion mainly in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Restoration efforts are ongoing, and Duke Energy has indicated that power may be restored by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday evening, with many customers likely to see restoration even sooner. Hurricane Helene made landfall on Thursday as a Category 4 hurricane in Florida’s Big Bend area before downgrading to a tropical depression as it moved through the Southeast, prompting widespread devastation and reported fatalities reaching at least 61 individuals across the affected states.

The article discusses the widespread power outages resulting from Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in Florida and subsequently affected several states in the Southeast United States. The storm caused extensive property damage and loss of life, highlighting the devastating impacts of severe weather events in this region. Understanding the scale of outages and the recovery efforts, particularly in South Carolina, is crucial for assessing the storm’s overall impact and response capabilities.

In summary, Hurricane Helene has left nearly one million residents in South Carolina without power, contributing to approximately 2.5 million outages across several states. As recovery efforts progress, it is crucial to monitor the situation and provide support to affected communities. Duke Energy and other utility companies are working diligently to restore power, with expectations for significant improvements by the end of the weekend.

Original Source: www.usatoday.com