Tropical Storm Helene Causes Widespread Power Outages in Greenville, SC

A significant portion of Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative’s members remain without power due to Tropical Storm Helene, with ongoing restoration efforts. Specific county outage numbers reveal extensive damages, and residents are advised to stay prepared for prolonged outages.

As of 8:20 p.m., approximately 76% of Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative members, totaling around 55,395 individuals, are still without power due to the significant destruction caused by Tropical Storm Helene. Power restoration efforts are ongoing, with 8,000 homes having power restored today.

Specific power outage statistics by county reveal that Anderson has 9,074 outages, Greenville has 5,538, Oconee has 18,653, Pickens has 22,080, and Spartanburg has 43 outages.

In light of the storm’s impact, some residents share their challenges. A resident on Piedmont Park Rd reported being unable to leave due to downed trees blocking escape routes. Another neighbor advised others to prepare for prolonged power outages and to appreciate the efforts of electrical linemen working tirelessly.

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative has 216 dedicated workers currently assessing and repairing damages, with an additional 17 workers arriving from Maryland and Virginia to assist. The total without power as of 1 p.m. is nearly 88% of members, with particular counties reporting the following outages: Anderson with 10,502, Greenville with 5,538, Oconee with 24,457, Pickens with 23,638, and Spartanburg with 43.

The aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene has left an extensive number of residents in Greenville, SC, and surrounding counties without power. Restoration efforts are ongoing, and the cooperative is leveraging both local and external resources to expedite the recovery process. Residents are urged to remain patient and prepared, given the significant damages that have occurred.

Original Source: weather.com