Tropical Storm Helene has left around 55,395 Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative members without power, particularly affecting counties like Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens. While efforts to restore power are ongoing, significant obstacles remain, including downed trees and blocked roads, impeding access for restoration teams.
As of 8:20 p.m., approximately 76% of Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative members, totaling around 55,395 individuals, remain without power due to the severe impacts of Tropical Storm Helene. The outages are significant across various counties, with specific numbers reported as follows: Anderson County has 9,074 outages, Greenville County has 5,538, Oconee County reports 18,653, Pickens County has 22,080, and Spartanburg County has 43 outages.
Despite the challenging conditions, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative successfully restored power to 8,000 homes today. The community is encouraged to remain patient while efforts continue. The area, particularly the Piedmont Park Rd region, has reported widespread blockages from downed trees and power lines, making navigation and access difficult. Residents attempting to reach unaffected areas such as Cherrydale encountered substantial obstacles.
The cooperative has mobilized approximately 216 workers who are actively assessing damage and making necessary repairs. An additional 17 workers from Maryland and Virginia are en route to assist with recovery efforts. Nearly 88% of members, about 64,100 individuals, are still without power as of 1 p.m., with ongoing challenges highlighted due to the storm’s aftermath.
The recent devastation caused by Tropical Storm Helene has left many residents of Greenville and surrounding counties without power, prompting significant restoration efforts by Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative. With a restoration team actively working, residents are advised to remain patient and prepared. The challenges of blocked roads due to fallen trees are contributing to delays in restoring full service, underscoring the extent of the storm’s impact.
Original Source: weather.com
