Severe Power Outages in South Carolina Following Hurricane Helene’s Devastation

Nearly one million South Carolina residents are without power following Hurricane Helene’s impact. The storm caused widespread outages, totaling approximately 2.5 million across the southeastern United States, along with historical flooding and significant property damage estimated between $15 and $26 billion.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, nearly one million residents in South Carolina are currently facing power outages, significantly impacting homes and businesses. As of 12:30 p.m. ET, PowerOutage.US reported that 894,495 customers in South Carolina are without electricity, making it the hardest-hit state due to this storm. Following South Carolina, Georgia has reported 671,367 power outages, while North Carolina has experienced 547,630 outages. Altogether, approximately 2.5 million customers in the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, and Virginia are without power as a direct consequence of Hurricane Helene’s impact. The hurricane, which made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm on Thursday, has also resulted in extensive flooding across multiple states and is estimated to have caused property damage ranging from $15 billion to $26 billion, predominantly affecting Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. According to reports, at least 61 lives have been lost in the wake of this disaster, underscoring the storm’s devastating effects across the region. Duke Energy has provided information regarding power restoration timelines, stating that residents outside the western parts of the Carolinas may expect the restoration of power by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday night. However, the company has indicated that many areas will have their power restored even before that time frame, with restoration efforts commencing before the storm exited the Carolinas on Friday afternoon. For ongoing updates regarding recovery efforts in the Carolinas, particularly in North Carolina, which is significantly affected, further information will be available as the situation develops.

Hurricane Helene made landfall on Thursday in Florida’s Big Bend region, where it initially reached Category 4 status before weakening into a tropical depression. This hurricane has had a widespread impact, causing electrical outages across several southeastern states, particularly affecting South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina. The aftermath of Helene has not only left millions without power but has also inflicted considerable property damage, as well as tragic loss of life, contributing to a broader emergency situation in the southeastern United States.

In summary, Hurricane Helene has resulted in nearly a million power outages in South Carolina and millions more across the southeastern states. The situation remains critical as recovery efforts are ongoing and power restoration is underway. The storm’s severe impact, including significant flooding and substantial economic losses, highlights the importance of preparedness in the face of natural disasters. Authorities continue to provide updates on the situation as they work diligently to restore normalcy to affected areas.

Original Source: www.usatoday.com