Power Outage Affects Hilton Head Island Residents

Hilton Head Island, August 11, 2025

News Summary

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, faced significant power outages impacting about 2,400 customers due to a transformer failure. The outages began shortly after 3 PM, causing interruptions for both homes and businesses. Palmetto Electric Cooperative is mobilizing resources to restore power but has not yet provided a timeline for recovery. Residents are urged to conserve energy and stay informed through social media updates as technicians investigate the cause of the failure.

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, experienced significant power outages affecting approximately 2,400 customers on Saturday afternoon due to a failed transformer. The announcement was made by Palmetto Electric Cooperative (PEC) via their social media platform X, where they informed residents about the ongoing disruptions.

The outages were reported shortly after 3:18 PM EDT on August 9, 2025, with an update issued at 3:22 PM EDT. Residents in scattered areas across the Lowcountry were impacted, causing significant inconvenience to households and businesses alike. PEC is currently mobilizing resources and crews to restore power to the affected locations as swiftly as possible.

As of now, PEC has not provided an estimated time for the full restoration of power services. However, the cooperative has expressed its commitment to resolving the issue promptly and ensuring that all impacted customers are informed of progress and recovery efforts.

Extent of the Outage

The power outage has affected areas throughout Hilton Head Island, creating challenges for residents who depend on electrical services for daily activities. The disruptions have varied in scale, with some neighborhoods completely without power and others experiencing intermittent outages. PEC has advised customers to conserve energy where possible during this recovery phase.

Cause of the Failure

The exact cause of the transformer failure has yet to be disclosed by PEC. Transformers are critical components in the electrical distribution system, converting high voltage electricity to a lower voltage suitable for use in homes and businesses. Failures can occur due to a variety of factors, including wear and tear, weather conditions, and electrical surges. PEC technicians are expected to conduct an investigation to determine the precise cause following the restoration of services.

Community Impact

The multiple service disruptions have raised concerns among residents regarding potential food spoilage, loss of refrigerated medications, and the general safety of vulnerable community members without power. This has prompted PEC to remind customers to stay informed via their social media updates and their website for ongoing information regarding service restoration efforts.

Background Information

Palmetto Electric Cooperative has served the communities of the Lowcountry since 1940, providing reliable electricity and service to thousands of customers. The cooperative is known for its responsiveness to outages and emergencies, frequently communicating with customers through technology and media. PEC encourages residents to report outages through their official channels, helping expedite the restoration process.

In conclusion, PEC is actively engaged in restoring power to the affected 2,400 customers on Hilton Head Island following the transformer failure. Residents are advised to stay updated on the situation as crews work to resolve the issues promptly.

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Additional Resources

• WSAV: Power Outage Affecting Parts of Lowcountry
• Wikipedia: Power Outage
• Island Packet: Power Outages in Lowcountry
• Google Search: Power Outage
• NY Times: Puerto Rico Power Blackout
• Google Scholar: Power Outage
• SC Daily Gazette: Customers in the Dark
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Transformer
• The State: South Carolina News
• Google News: South Carolina Power Outages

Author: STAFF HERE HILTON HEAD

The HILTON HEAD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHiltonHead.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Hilton Head Island, Beaufort 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 RBC Heritage golf tournament, Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival, and the Gullah Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, plus leading businesses in tourism and hospitality that power the local economy such as Sea Pines Resort and Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.