Columbia, South Carolina: Power Outages Persist After Hurricane Helene
As we continue to recover from the impacts of Hurricane Helene, the situation in Columbia and across South Carolina remains challenging, especially for those still without power. At an eye-opening count reported on Sunday at 11 a.m., nearly a million customers were still struggling with outages across the Palmetto State. In total, 904,051 customers were left in the dark, making up about a third of the 2,818,951 customers monitored by poweroutage.us.
Where Are the Outages?
Richland and Lexington counties have been hit particularly hard, with Richland County reporting 30,648 outages and Lexington County experiencing a staggering 43,396 outages. Together, they account for nearly 75,000 of the total outages, highlighting the severity of the situation in these areas. The Midlands, encompassing these counties, has seen more than 107,763 customers without power, causing significant inconvenience to local residents.
Update on Power Restoration Efforts
Despite the grim numbers, there is some hopeful news. Dominion Energy reported that they had already managed to restore power to around 300,000 customers who were previously affected by blackout conditions. However, as of now, it’s clear that 132,572 customers still remain without service from the company’s total of 820,703 customers. The lingering outages are especially pronounced in Richland County, where approximately 24,981 customers still need assistance, and Lexington County, with about 21,696 customers.
Additionally, the Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina are reporting 233,895 outages statewide, with nearly 81,000 outages specifically occurring in the Midlands area. Not to be overshadowed, Duke Energy has documented 541,427 outages across South Carolina, showcasing ongoing challenges with a smaller count of 2,195 outages occurring in or near the Midlands.
Safety Tips for Residents
For those grappling with the situation, it’s crucial to stay safe. Residents are advised to keep a flashlight and extra batteries handy and to ensure their cellphones and mobile devices are charged. Being prepared for potential continued outages might make these trying times just a little easier.
Reporting Outages
Residents are also encouraged to report any power outages they experience. Here are the contact numbers for different utility companies:
- Dominion Energy: 888-333-4465
- Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina: 803-796-6060
- Santee Cooper: 888-769-7688
- Duke Energy: 800-769-3766
In Conclusion
The aftermath of Hurricane Helene serves as a stark reminder of the power of nature and the importance of community resilience. While the recovery efforts are ongoing and may take some time, it’s essential to stay informed and prepared. We will keep you updated as more information is shared regarding power restoration and general recovery in the coming days.
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.
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