Tropical Storm Helene has left 76% of Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative members in Greenville, SC without power. Total outages affect approximately 55,395 members, with about 8,000 homes restored recently. Major roadblocks complicate access for residents. Utility workers continue to assess damage and restore power with assistance from out-of-state crews.
As of 8:20 p.m., a significant number of households in the Greenville, SC area remain without power, as 76% of Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative’s members are affected after Tropical Storm Helene caused extensive damage. This translates to approximately 55,395 members losing electricity across the region.
The data reveals specific outage incidents by county: Anderson with 9,074, Greenville with 5,538, Oconee with 18,653, Pickens with 22,080, and Spartanburg with a mere 43 outages reported.
Today, utility workers restored power to around 8,000 homes, signifying their ongoing commitment to recovery amid the crisis. The Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative appreciates the community’s patience during these challenges.
Residents, especially from neighborhoods like Piedmont Park, facing blocked routes due to downed trees and power lines, are encouraged to prepare for extended power outages. Many have reported difficulties accessing vital resources such as ice and food due to impassable roads.
The cooperative has deployed about 216 field workers for repairs and assessments and is receiving additional assistance from 17 out-of-state workers from Maryland and Virginia, arriving to help with recovery efforts. As of 1 p.m. earlier today, nearly 88% of members were still without power, highlighting the ongoing impact of the storm.
In summary, Tropical Storm Helene has severely disrupted power services across Greenville and surrounding counties, affecting tens of thousands of residents. The Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative is actively working to restore electricity and is receiving aid from additional crews. However, residents should remain prepared for longer wait times before full restoration occurs as the community continues to recover from the storm’s aftermath.
Original Source: weather.com
