Columbia Faces Devastation and Power Outages in Wake of Hurricane Helene

Columbia Braces for Aftermath of Hurricane Helene

Columbia, South Carolina, woke up on Friday to the unsettling remnants of Hurricane Helene, which brought with it high winds and heavy rains that wreaked havoc throughout the night. As the sun rose, residents were met with flooded streets, downed trees, and the unfortunate reality that tens of thousands of homes were left without power. At around 10 a.m., PowerOutage.us reported that about 1.4 million people across South Carolina were facing outages.

Power Outages Create a Major Concern

The numbers were staggering, especially in certain counties. In Richland County alone, more than 106,000 customers were without electricity, while nearby Lexington County logged nearly 122,000 outages. Charleston County reflected over 30,000 outages, and Greenville County was not spared either, with more than 250,000 residents left in the dark.

As of late morning, the effects of the storm began to subside, with the city of Columbia cautiously reopening portions of closed roads, including Whaley Street and Main Street. Officials have urged residents to report any downed trees obstructing roadways at the customer care line, 803-545-3300.

Infrastructure Struggles and Environmental Impact

A significant environmental concern emerged as crews reported a sanitary sewer overflow into Lake Murray due to a third-party equipment failure. Fortunately, city workers were already on the scene addressing the issue. Additionally, the fierce winds left towns like Cayce, Irmo, Lexington, and West Columbia grappling with closures, and Richland County remained largely shut down as crews assessed the damage.

The Columbia Metropolitan Airport faced a tricky situation. While flights were still attempting to depart, winds around 67 mph had led to numerous delays and cancellations. As airport officials put it, “Winds right now are just the biggest issue,” making operations incredibly challenging.

Tree Troubles Across the Midlands

In neighborhoods throughout the Midlands, reports of trees crashing down on homes flooded in. The Irmo Fire District reported “dozens” of these mishaps, with one heartbreaking photo shared that showed a tree actually smashing through a house. Local officials advised everyone, “Stay home.” The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department confirmed they were deploying first responders to evaluate storm damage and the extensive road closures present across the area. Thankfully, there have been no reports of major injuries.

Daily Operations Impacted

Columbia’s University also dealt with the storm’s fallout, with several trees down around campus, including a particularly notable one on the Historic Horseshoe. A spokesperson mentioned staff were collecting information on potential building damages while confirming that electricity was still functioning on campus.

In addition to the chaos on campus, local residents found it challenging to navigate their neighborhoods. In Forest Acres, over 30 trees were reported down, blocking roads and causing disruptions. Residents were advised to contact their insurance companies if a tree fell in their yard and to report instances of hazardous trees according to emergency service guidelines.

Driving Safety and Warnings

Emergency management services around Richland County issued warnings urging residents to stay off roadways whenever possible. Major intersections were closed, and with authority figures such as Sherif Leon Lott reminding everyone, “We are still experiencing trees and power lines falling,” it became clear that safety was paramount. The county administration further asked people to avoid certain areas known for troublesome conditions, including Alpine Road and Blossom Street.

Even as residents began to assess the damage and inconvenience of the storm, heavier rains, winds, and the risk of falling debris still posed potential hazards. However, community efforts managed to keep spirits up as residents came together, rallying to assist each other in these trying times and eagerly anticipating the return of routine life to Columbia and surrounding areas.

As Columbia continues to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, residents should remain cautious, heed local warnings, and reach out for help as needed. Together, they can navigate the challenging path forward.