Impact of Hurricane Helene Leaves Nearly One Million Without Power in South Carolina

Hurricane Helene has left nearly one million customers without power in South Carolina, marking it as the state most impacted by the storm. Approximately 2.5 million are without power across the Southeastern states, with significant flooding and property damage reported. Restoration efforts are ongoing, with expectations of power being restored by Sunday night for many customers.

In South Carolina, nearly one million customers are currently without power due to the impact of Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in Florida on Thursday as a Category 4 hurricane. As of 12:30 p.m. ET, the number of affected customers in South Carolina reached 894,495, marking it as the state facing the highest number of power outages from the storm. Close behind are Georgia, with 671,367 customers without power, and North Carolina, with 547,630 outages. Overall, approximately 2.5 million homes and businesses across the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, and Virginia are suffering from power loss. The storm has not only resulted in extensive power outages but has also caused significant flooding and property damage, estimated to be between $15 billion to $26 billion, primarily affecting Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. In terms of power restoration, Duke Energy has indicated that individuals outside of the western areas of the Carolinas should expect their power to be restored by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday. However, the energy company has communicated that many customers could see restoration even earlier, with efforts having commenced prior to the storm’s departure from the region. The landfall of Hurricane Helene was noted at Florida’s Big Bend, where it later weakened to a tropical depression, moving through the Southeastern United States. Tragically, at least 61 fatalities have been reported across the affected five states, highlighting the storm’s devastating impact.

Hurricane Helene struck the Southeastern United States, causing widespread destruction and displacing a substantial number of residents. The storm originally impacted Florida before moving into the Carolinas, where it generated significant power outages and damage. The extensive flooding, coupled with hurricane winds, contributed to a complicated recovery process across multiple states. Utility companies are actively working to restore power, with timelines offered for when service is expected to resume.

In conclusion, Hurricane Helene has wrought havoc in the Southeastern United States, particularly impacting South Carolina, which currently has the highest number of power outages. With nearly one million customers affected, the storm has also caused devastating flooding and substantial property damage. Restoration efforts are underway, and utility companies are actively focused on restoring power in the fastest manner possible. The loss of lives during this natural disaster serves as a tragic reminder of the storm’s severity.

Original Source: www.usatoday.com