South Carolina, North Carolina Suffers Over 1 Million Power Outages Following Hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene has initiated a mass of power outages across South Carolina and North Carolina, leading to widespread disruptions for millions of citizens.
Disruption Across the States
On both South and North Carolina, over 1M power outages were reported as of 2:55 p.m. ET amid Hurricane Helene’s pummeling winds and heavy rain. The fierce storm made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend late Thursday night, quickly weakening into a tropical storm, yet still triggering millions of power outages across multiple states. The weakening did not cease as the storm continued its northward trajectory, soon deteriorating into a tropical depression on Friday afternoon. Notwithstanding the downgrade, swathes of area experienced significant flooding; some regions, notably parts of the Southeast and southern Appalachians, suffered ‘historic and catastrophic’ flooding.
Widespread Impact of Helene
Despite its weakening, Helene’s impacts have been far-reaching, evidenced in the widespread power outages and flooding across the Southeastern states – including Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. Areas of North Carolina and South Carolina have been particularly hard-hit, as the mapping of power outages throughout these states attests.
South Carolina Power Outage Map
In South Carolina, there were over 1.1 million power outages reported, primarily focused in the western part of the state. Tracking the power outages, Greenville County suffered the most with over 260,000 reported outages, Spartanburg County followed with over 180,000 outages, and another 100,000 outages were reported in Anderson County. The rural Oconee County and Greenwood County, though not as heavily populated, also reported an additional 20,000 power outages.
North Carolina Power Outage Map
Neighboring North Carolina also experienced a significant number of power outages, with over 950,000 disruptions reported. The western area of the state has been the hardest hit, as evidenced by over 100,000 outages in Mecklenburg County and more than 69,000 in Henderson County. Buncombe County also registered a considerable power disruption, reporting over 150,000 power outages.
In the Wake of the Storm
Even though Helene has weakened considerably and is predicted to turn extratropical soon, the damage and disruption are far from over. Authorities are still grappling with emergency responses across both states. Power restoration efforts are ongoing, but with such a large number of outages, it is anticipated that it will take some time to fully restore electricity.
This storm highlights the vulnerability of our infrastructure to extreme weather events and sets the imperative for continued and increased investment into robust, resilient power systems that can withstand adverse weather conditions. Preparations for a future with more intense and frequent storms begin with us learning from the experiences of events like Helene, in order to better protect and serve our communities.
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.
