COLUMBIA, S.C. – Power Restoration Update After Hurricane Helene
As communities in Columbia and surrounding areas begin to recover from the effects of Hurricane Helene, a ray of hope emerges as Dominion Energy announces its timeline for power restoration. The company has made it clear that they are making significant progress, showing that approximately 95 percent of customers in five additional counties should have their power back by late Sunday night. This is certainly a piece of good news for many families who have been feeling the pinch of the storm.
Working Around the Clock
Dominion Energy’s commitment to bringing power back to its customers is no small feat. Over the past week, a dedicated team of more than 4,000 employees has been tirelessly working to restore electricity. Since the hurricane hit, the utility company has already managed to return power to over 406,000 customers across South Carolina, which is nearly 92 percent of those affected.
However, this restoration effort is a complex and challenging task. Many areas, particularly those that are heavily wooded and rural, have faced major disruptions to their electric grids due to thousands of trees that were toppled during the storm. “We know families are desperate to make plans for the days ahead, but the work to reconnect miles and miles of poles and wire will take time,” said Keller Kissam, president of Dominion Energy South Carolina.
Neighborhood by Neighborhood
The message from Dominion Energy is clear: the process will continue to be labor-intensive as teams work neighborhood to neighborhood, street to street, and house to house. Their goal is to ensure that every customer is brought back into the light, quite literally. But patience is key, as some households may take a little longer to get power restored because of specific damages.
The Importance of Electrical Safety
Customers are also reminded that if there is any storm damage from the weather that extends down to their meter base, it will need to be assessed and repaired by a licensed electrician before Dominion Energy can reconnect their power. This is a necessary step to ensure the safety of all customers during the restoration process.
Power Restoration Areas
Dominion Energy has provided details on the estimated times for restoration in various counties, and the public can access this information through their outage map. This is a useful tool for residents to stay updated on when they can expect power to be restored in their specific areas.
A Collective Effort
The community’s resilience has certainly been tested, but alongside the efforts of Dominion Energy, local residents have been rallying together to support one another in this challenging time. Many are sharing resources, helping each other clean up, and looking after neighbors—showing that even through the toughest of circumstances, the spirit of community shines bright.
Conclusion
As we look ahead to the next few days, it’s crucial for those in affected areas to stay informed and prepared. With Dominion Energy working diligently to restore power, residents can hopefully make plans with the assurance that they are moving closer to a return to normalcy. Remember to check the outage map and remain safe as restoration crews continue their essential work.
