Greenwood, South Carolina, September 3, 2025
News Summary
In South Carolina, electric cooperatives are tirelessly working to restore power after Tropical Storm Helene caused widespread outages. Over 40,000 members of Blue Ridge Electric and significant progress made by Laurens Electric and Duke Energy highlight the ongoing restoration efforts. Despite the progress, many residents remain without power as crews face challenges like broken poles, flooding, and landslides. Collaboration between cooperatives and neighboring states emphasizes safety and the importance of infrastructure reconstruction for reliable power in the future.
Greenwood, South Carolina – Restoration efforts are underway across South Carolina as electric cooperatives continue to respond to the widespread power outages caused by Tropical Storm Helene. Approximately 4,900 members of Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative had their power restored on Tuesday, bringing the total number of power restorations to over 40,000 since the storm hit the region. Currently, 24,151 members of Blue Ridge remain without power, which represents about 33% of the cooperative’s total membership.
Tropical Storm Helene wreaked havoc on electrical infrastructure, resulting in a record-breaking 625 broken power poles for Blue Ridge Electric, marking the highest number in the cooperative’s 84-year history. Duke Energy’s restoration efforts have also made significant progress, resolving over 600,000 customer outages since the storm’s impact. As of 8:45 p.m. on Tuesday, 326,000 Duke Energy customers in the Upstate were still without power due to extensive damage to the system.
In addition to Blue Ridge, Laurens Electric has restored service to 35,743 members, which amounts to 56% of its customer base. A significant milestone has been reached with 22 of its 32 substations now back online. The cooperative has assessed over 300 broken power poles in its service area, and due to ongoing damage, some transmission lines may not be operational until October 7, potentially delaying complete power restorations.
Crews at Laurens Electric are currently working around the clock, with more than 400 line technicians involved in restoration efforts. Meanwhile, Rutherford EMC has restored power to nearly 30,700 members but still faces 32,000 outages. Crews from Rutherford EMC are encountering challenges like flooding and landslides, which complicate efforts to restore electric infrastructure in affected areas.
Statewide, South Carolina’s electric cooperatives have restored power to over 280,000 consumers after originally losing service to approximately 425,000 due to the storm. However, as of the latest update, about 144,000 cooperative members remain without power.
The restoration efforts across the state have seen significant collaboration, with crews from various states joining in to assist with power restoration. Authorities are placing emphasis on safety measures and are requesting that the public keep roadways clear for restoration crews and avoid approaching workers during this critical time. Additionally, efforts are being made to provide medical needs shelters for members who rely on home medical equipment and are currently without power.
As restoration progresses, it is crucial to acknowledge that many areas are not merely in need of repairs but require complete reconstruction of electrical infrastructure to ensure safe and reliable power in the future.
Background Context
Tropical Storm Helene hit South Carolina, causing significant damage to the electrical infrastructure and leaving large portions of the population without power. The storm’s impact was unprecedented, leading electric cooperatives to mobilize rapidly. The situation is being monitored closely, and updates are being provided as restoration efforts continue.
FAQ
What caused the widespread power outages in South Carolina?
Tropical Storm Helene caused significant damage to electrical infrastructure, leading to widespread outages across the state.
How many customers have had their power restored since the storm?
Over 40,000 members of electric cooperatives have had their power restored since Tropical Storm Helene hit the region.
What safety measures should the public be aware of during restoration efforts?
The public is encouraged to keep roadways clear for restoration crews and avoid approaching workers during the restoration process for safety reasons.
What challenges are crews facing during the restoration process?
Crews are facing challenges such as broken power poles, flooding, and landslides that impede the restoration of electric infrastructure.
When can customers expect to have their power restored?
While many crews are working around the clock, some areas may not have power restored until October 7 due to extensive damage.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Hurricane Helene Claims Lives in Laurens County
Catastrophic Flooding in South Carolina from Tropical Storm Helene
Hurricane Helene Causes Widespread Flooding in Newberry County
Severe Weather Alert in South Carolina: Hurricane Helene Approaches
Additional Resources
- WYFF: South Carolina Power Outage Updates
- Wikipedia: Tropical Storm Helene
- Firehouse: Firefighters Tackle Structure Fires in Clinton
- Google Search: South Carolina power outages
- GoLaurens: Cruickshanks to Retire as Laurens County Attorney
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Electric Cooperatives
Author: STAFF HERE CLINTON
The CLINTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREClinton.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Clinton, Laurens County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Festival of Discovery, Clinton Community Day, and performances at the Whitten Center Amphitheater. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce and the Laurens County Historical Society, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and education that power the local economy such as Milliken & Company and Presbyterian College. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
