Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative reports that approximately 76% of its members, totaling about 55,395 households, are without power due to Tropical Storm Helene. Downed trees and power lines have severely impacted road accessibility, leaving residents stranded. The cooperative is making progress with 8,000 restorations today and has deployed a significant number of workers to facilitate recovery operations.
As of 8:20 p.m., Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative has reported that approximately 76% of its members, equating to around 55,395 households, are currently without power due to the significant destruction caused by Tropical Storm Helene. The following outage statistics have been compiled by county: Anderson with 9,074 outages, Greenville with 5,538, Oconee with 18,653, Pickens with 22,080, and Spartanburg with 43 households affected. In a positive development, power has been restored to 8,000 homes today, showcasing the diligent efforts of Blue Ridge Electric personnel. However, residents in the Piedmont Park area have expressed considerable frustration as they faced numerous obstacles due to downed trees and power lines obstructing all exit routes. One neighbor reported, “We cannot get out!” indicating the severe conditions surrounding the vicinity. Despite such challenging circumstances, an encouragement was extended to hunker down and prepare for the possibility of prolonged power outages, while also expressing gratitude towards the linemen working tirelessly in the field. Currently, there are 216 Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative workers actively engaged in assessing and repairing damage, with an additional 17 workers expected to arrive from Maryland and Virginia to assist with the recovery operations. The outage statistics have significantly increased since the last report at 1 p.m., when approximately 88% of members, about 64,100 in total, were without power. The updated figures reflect a concerning situation; specifically, Anderson has seen an increase in outages to 10,502, Oconee to 24,457, and Pickens to 23,638, while Spartanburg remains minimally affected.
The recent impact of Tropical Storm Helene has led to widespread power outages in the Greenville, SC area, particularly affecting members of Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative. The storm’s severe weather resulted in extensive damage, causing significant disruptions to power services. The electric cooperative is actively working to restore power and support residents during this challenging time, engaging a large workforce and seeking additional aid to expedite recovery efforts. Local residents have reported being trapped in their neighborhoods due to fallen trees and power lines, highlighting the storm’s devastating effects on road accessibility as well. The cooperative’s effort to communicate outage numbers and restoration progress aims to keep the community informed amid ongoing challenges.
In conclusion, the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene has left a significant portion of the Greenville area without power, with Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative working diligently towards restoration efforts. The community is encouraged to remain patient as restoration progresses while appreciating the dedicated work of the linemen. The continued support and assistance from external crews signify a united effort in overcoming the aftermath of the storm and restoring normalcy to the affected regions.
Original Source: weather.com
