As of recent updates, about 76% of Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative members remain without power due to Tropical Storm Helene, with notable outages in several counties. Repairs are underway, and 8,000 homes regained power already. However, road accessibility remains a challenge due to downed trees.
As of 8:20 p.m., approximately 76% of Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative’s members, amounting to around 55,395 individuals, are still without power due to the severe impact from Tropical Storm Helene. The power outages have particularly affected various counties: Anderson with 9,074 households, Greenville with 5,538, Oconee with 18,653, Pickens at 22,080, and Spartanburg with a minimal count of 43.
Fortunately, on the same day, power has been restored to 8,000 homes. The community expresses gratitude to Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative for its efforts in addressing the outages. Residents, however, remain concerned as many roads are inaccessible due to fallen trees and downed power lines, making it difficult to seek aid or resources.
Residents in the Piedmont Park Road area reported struggles to find ice and navigate around the blocked roads. Despite their efforts to reach unaffected areas such as Cherrydale, the presence of extensive storm damage has led to multiple detours and roadblocks. This has contributed to a sense of uncertainty about how long it may take for power restoration and normal conditions to resume.
Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative has mobilized approximately 216 workers in the field for repair and assessment tasks, with an additional 17 professionals from Maryland and Virginia arriving to assist further. By 1 p.m. on the same day, the cooperative reported that nearly 88% of its members were still without power, reflecting a significant impact from the storm in multiple counties with varying outage numbers.
The aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene has significantly affected the Greenville, SC area, leaving a substantial number of residents without power due to damage. Efforts are ongoing by Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative, highlighting their commitment through the deployment of numerous workers for repairs. Ongoing assessments show that while some homes have regained power, recovery efforts will require considerable time and resources to address the widespread damage and restore normalcy.
Original Source: weather.com
