News Summary
A series of powerful storms swept through South Carolina, resulting in widespread power outages affecting around 140,000 customers across the state. The hardest-hit areas include Richland, Lexington, Fairfield, Saluda, and Newberry counties, where fallen trees and downed power lines prompted emergency services to act. Restoration efforts are underway, but as conditions calm, another storm is anticipated on Sunday, raising concerns for further outages.
Columbia, South Carolina
A line of powerful storms swept across South Carolina on Friday night, leading to widespread power outages affecting approximately 140,000 customers. The most significant outages occurred in the western half of the state, particularly impacting Richland, Lexington, Fairfield, Saluda, and Newberry counties.
Details of Outages
As of just before 10 p.m., the following outages were reported:
- Richland County: 16,000 customers
- Lexington County: Nearly 30,000 customers
- Fairfield County: Nearly 2,000 customers
- Saluda County: More than 8,500 customers
- Newberry County: Nearly 6,700 customers
Newberry County specifically reported multiple fallen trees and downed power lines as a result of the storm.
Emergency Response Efforts
Emergency services, along with the South Carolina Department of Transportation and power crews, are currently engaged in efforts to assess and respond to the damage caused by the storms. Restoration of power is ongoing, with crews deployed since initial reports of outages and planning to work throughout the night.
Weather Conditions and Forecast
The severe storms, which produced wind gusts ranging between 60-70 mph, are expected to weaken as they move eastward across the state. By approximately 11 p.m. to midnight, conditions are anticipated to calm following the storm’s passage. However, the weather pattern remains unsettled, with another round of storms predicted to occur on Sunday morning, and potential severe weather returning later that same day.
Regional Impact
In addition to the outages in South Carolina, Duke Energy reported similar impacts in the Upstate and Western North Carolina areas due to the storms. At a peak shortly after the storms began, Dominion Energy’s outage map indicated nearly 142,000 customers without power, which later decreased to 47,000 outages just minutes later.
Areas of Concern
Significant outages were particularly noted in the Lake Murray and Winnsboro areas, which experienced extensive wind damage from the storm. Dominion Energy representatives indicated that the majority of the outages were associated with thunderstorms, primarily as a result of falling trees and limbs impacting power lines.
Conclusion
As power restoration efforts continue, residents are urged to remain aware of the changing weather conditions and take necessary precautions as the storms develop further. Authorities will provide updates as more information becomes available regarding the restoration of services and additional weather patterns expected throughout the weekend.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Strong Thunderstorms Hit Upstate South Carolina
Storms Cause Power Outages Across the State
Winter Weather Advisory Issued for Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia, S.C. Welcomes Sunshine After Days of Storms
South Carolina Declares State of Emergency Amid Wildfires
Tim Pearson Takes Charge at Duke Energy in South Carolina
Restoration Efforts Continue in the Carolinas Post-Hurricane Helene
Sunny Saturday in Columbia, South Carolina
Duke Energy Appoints New President for South Carolina Operations
Columbia Prepares for Winter Weather Advisory
Additional Resources
- WLTX
- Wikipedia: Power Outage
- WISTV
- Google Search: Power Outages in South Carolina
- WLOS
- Google Scholar: Storm Damage South Carolina
- Fox Carolina
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Power Outages
- Santee Cooper
- Google News: Severe Weather South Carolina
Author: STAFF HERE NEWBERRY
The NEWBERRY STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewberry.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Newberry, Newberry 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 Newberry Opera House performances, Newberry Arts Fest, and the Newberry County Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Newberry County Chamber of Commerce and the Newberry Museum, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and agriculture that power the local economy such as Amick Farms and Newberry Mills. 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.
