Greenville Recovers from Tropical Storm Helene’s Aftermath
As the winds of Tropical Storm Helene finally ebbed, the city of Greenville is digging its way back to normalcy. It’s been a challenging few days, but we’re seeing some glimmers of hope. According to city officials, as of Thursday morning, just 38 streets remain blocked—a notable improvement considering the chaos that usually follows a storm.
Progress on the Roads
It’s heartening to know that the hard work of the utility crews is starting to pay off. Out of the 38 blocked streets, nine are currently receiving active attention from crews who are working tirelessly to bring things back to normal. The City is optimistic and hopes to have all streets cleared by the end of the day. Another positive takeaway is that all the streets that were merely blocked by trees, and not power lines, are now clear, making navigation much easier for everyone.
On Wednesday alone, the crews made significant strides, clearing 96 partial blockages and 33 total blockages from the roadways. These efforts are a big part of what’ll let residents get back to their daily routines more smoothly.
Power Outages Still Looming
While the streets are slowly becoming passable, we still have a much bigger challenge ahead—restoring power to thousands who are still living in the dark. As the storm passed through the Upstate, many homes were impacted and power outages remain a pressing issue. Here’s a summary of the current situation regarding outages in the region:
- Abbeville: 5,438
- Anderson: 33,151
- Cherokee: 13,761
- Greenville: 102,746
- Greenwood: 16,322
- Laurens: 19,656
- McCormick: 3,753
- Oconee: 7,413
- Pickens: 14,067
- Spartanburg: 84,603
- Union: 3,988
To put it into perspective, approximately 6,500 customers of Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative had their power restored as of Wednesday. Since Tropical Storm Helene moved into the region, the company has successfully restored power to 46,000 customers, amounting to a remarkable 75% of their total customer base.
Restoration Efforts Ongoing
As of late Wednesday evening, here’s a snapshot of power outages by location:
- Abbeville: 334
- Anderson: 29,157
- Cherokee: 7,592
- Greenville: 96,959
- Greenwood: 16,186
- Laurens: 8,145
- Oconee: 2,185
- Pickens: 6,672
- Spartanburg: 75,392
The progress report from Blue Ridge Electric indicates that while some areas are seeing power restored, others continue to struggle. Particularly in Laurens County, where it’s reported that around 24,934 customers remain without power. The electric company has also mentioned that 26 out of 32 substations are back online, which is definitely a step in the right direction.
Looking Ahead
Transmission to certain areas, including parts of Abbeville, Laurens, Newberry, Union, and Spartanburg counties, is projected to be repaired by October 7th, which will provide much-needed relief for many neighborhoods, homes, and businesses waiting for the lights to come back on.
In the meantime, residents are urged to stay safe, be patient, and remain informed as the city showcases its resilience once again. With a community spirit and constant effort, we’ll push through this recovery together!
