Over 100K Midlands Residents Lose Power as Hurricane Helene Sweeps Southeast
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Over 100,000 residents in the Midlands are plunged into darkness as Hurricane Helene continues its disruptive path across the southeast United States. The hurricane, which has seen wind speeds of up to 85 mph, sweeps through the southern states, making its way towards Georgia and the Tennessee border.
Power Outages Reported Across South Carolina
Hurricane Helene has caused significant damage and disruption, with over half a million South Carolinians waking up on Friday morning without power. According to data collected by Bluefire Studios on Friday at around 7:20 a.m., the counties of Greenville, Lexington, and Richland reported over 100,000 power outages. Furthermore, around 85% of tracked electric customers in Saluda and Newberry Counties, and approximately 80% in Jasper, Colleton, Hampton, and Edgefield counties also experienced power outages.
Midlands Region Heavily Impacted
In the Midlands region, over 100,000 energy customers are without power. Richland County reported over 78,000 outages early Friday morning, with a majority being Dominion Energy customers. In Lexington County, over 92,000 residents are currently left powerless, which accounts for around 59% of all logged customers in the county. Sizable outages were also reported in Saluda, Newberry, Orangeburg, Sumter, Calhoun, Clarendon, Kershaw, and Fairfield counties.
Traffic Disruptions Continue
The storm has also caused considerable traffic disruption. In the town of Lexington, nearly all signal lights for the town’s major thoroughfares are without power. Town officials have urged drivers to observe road safe driving habits with a particular emphasis on treating intersections with inactive signal lights as a four-way stop.
Advice to the Public During Outages
Dominion Energy officials have provided important advice for dealing with a power outage:
Hurricane Helene Approaches Georgia/Tennessee Border
Hurricane Helene made its landfall at around 11:20 p.m. on Thursday night and has continued its way towards the Georgia/Tennessee border. Various road closures have been reported throughout the Midlands, and many schools and state offices have also announced schedule changes due to the storm’s impact.
Stay Informed
As the conditions continue to develop, residents are encouraged to stay informed about Hurricane Helene’s progression. Check back for updates and stay safe.
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
