Hurricane Helene has left nearly a million South Carolina residents without power as it caused extensive outages across the southeastern United States. Total outages exceed 2.5 million, with significant property damage estimated between $15 billion to $26 billion. Power restoration efforts are in progress, with many expected to regain electricity soon after the storm’s passage.
Hurricane Helene has had a significant impact on the southeastern United States, leaving nearly a million residents in South Carolina without power. As of 12:30 p.m. ET, approximately 894,495 customers in South Carolina are experiencing power outages, making it the hardest-hit state from the storm. Georgia follows with 671,367 outages, while North Carolina reports 547,630, contributing to a total of nearly 2.5 million homes and businesses affected across the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, and Virginia. The hurricane, initially a Category 4 storm upon landfall in Florida’s Big Bend, subsequently weakened to a tropical depression as it continued to move through the Southeast. This devastating weather event has caused historic flooding and estimates of property damage range from $15 billion to $26 billion, predominantly affecting Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Restoration of power is expected, with Duke Energy indicating that many customers outside the western areas of the Carolinas should have their electricity restored by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday night, although some will see power back earlier. The storm has also tragically taken at least 61 lives across the impacted states.
The article discusses the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in Florida and subsequently affected several southeastern states, particularly South Carolina. It highlights the extensive power outages caused by the hurricane and provides information on the anticipated timeline for power restoration. Additionally, the article emphasizes the damaging effects of the storm, including flooding and economic losses.
In summary, Hurricane Helene has resulted in widespread power outages, particularly in South Carolina, with nearly a million customers impacted. The storm caused significant devastation across multiple states, leading to tragic loss of life and substantial property damage. Restoration efforts are underway, with many residents in the affected areas expected to see their power restored shortly.
Original Source: www.usatoday.com
