Greenwood’s Path to Power Recovery: A Community’s Resilience After Hurricane Helene
Brightening a Dark Chapter in Greenwood
In the heart of Greenwood County, residents are finally beginning to see a flicker of light post-Hurricane Helene’s fierce attack. After more than a week of dim halls and darkened neighborhoods, power companies have made admirable strides. The weekend was bustling with electricity being restored, signaling a small, yet much-needed, step towards normalcy for many residents.
Duke Energy and Greenwood CPW Rise to the Challenge
The tireless efforts of local power companies such as Duke Energy and Greenwood CPW have been crucial. By Saturday midday, Duke recorded 11,105 outages in Greenwood County, while CPW was grappling with around 2,500 outages, including significant areas like Lander University. Progress over the weekend was definitely present, with the power team targeting multiple areas to have the lights back on by Sunday night.
Greenwood CPW’s Herculean Task
The aftermath of the storm left Greenwood CPW facing an unprecedented event. According to CPW’s Director of Engineering, the sight of debris tangled within power lines complicated the recovery process. With over 75% of the electric system already restored, CPW’s General Manager notes the remarkable work done by their linemen, as well as their water, gas, and customer service teams.
A Community Coming Together
It’s been a collective effort leveraging help from six other states to work under mutual-aid agreements. With the Operations Center working overtime, support from Greenwood School District 50 helped accommodate out-of-town crews until hotel accommodations were viable. Liaising with a plethora of local, state, and national agencies has been paramount to ensuring a coordinated recovery approach.
Strategizing Restoration Efforts
CPW has worked diligently to prioritize restoring power to critical infrastructures like hospital campuses and commercial areas. “Our initial priority after the storm was to restore power to critical facilities,” shared Meredith, emphasizing the importance of having essentials like grocery stores and gas stations back up.
Facing Unseen Challenges
Though tremulous progress continues, districts in Abbeville County remain on the recovery track. With around 1,000 outages recorded over the weekend, little headway can be made overnight. Power teams like Little River Electric admitted that the damage is extensive and will require well over a week, possibly up to three, to truly get back to normal operation.
Community Hope and Determination
In the post-storm era, each passing day shines a light on the community’s resolve to restore what Hurricane Helene disrupted. The residents’ patience and support during these testing times reflect an unyielding spirit to rebuild and heal. As regions continue to regain power, the sights of flickering lights and humming appliances resonate with hope.
Signing Off
The road ahead involves vigilance, but with each fleeting moment, Greenwood inches its way toward recovering from one of its worst storms to date. We stand witness to a community bound by resilience, an unwavering testament to progress following nature’s unforeseen trials.
