News Summary

Newberry County and the Midlands region of South Carolina are experiencing widespread power outages following severe storms. Approximately 843 residents in Newberry are without electricity, while over 145,000 customers statewide are affected. The storm brought heavy winds and damage to infrastructure, with emergency services working under challenging conditions to restore power and clear debris. A shelter has been established for impacted residents as restoration efforts continue.

Newberry County Faces Power Outages After Severe Storms

Newberry County and surrounding areas are dealing with significant power outages following severe storms that swept through the Midlands region of South Carolina. As of Sunday noon, approximately 843 residents in Newberry County are still without electricity. Statewide, over 145,000 customers are affected, with major outages reported in several counties.

In addition to Newberry, the hardest hit areas include Lexington County with 34,989 residents without power, Richland County with 17,490, Saluda County with 8,567, and Fairfield County with 1,978 residents impacted.

The heavy winds, with gusts exceeding 60 mph, have contributed to widespread damage, with reports of trees and power lines downed throughout Newberry County. This storm follows a winter event on Friday night which had already left around 600 customers without power due to a substation outage.

Emergency Response and Damage Assessment

Officials, including the local Sheriff’s Department, have indicated that extensive areas may have been affected by possible tornado activity or severe downbursts. Emergency services are currently working under dangerous conditions to restore power and clear roads.

Newberry City Manager reported that approximately 80% of the roadways in the city are obstructed due to fallen trees and power lines, complicating restoration efforts. Newberry County Memorial Hospital also experienced power outages, impacting essential services, along with disruptions to the city’s water and sewer systems.

Community Support and Restoration Efforts

In response to the ongoing crisis, a temporary shelter has been established at Newberry High School for those without power. A charging station was opened at the old firehouse to assist residents, particularly college students, many of whom have visited to recharge their devices over the weekend.

By Monday, approximately three-quarters of power customers in Newberry are expected to have their service restored, demonstrating the swift response from power companies and local emergency management teams.

Historical Context

This storm comes at a time when Newberry County has a recent history of power struggles during severe weather events. In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, approximately 76% of residents were still without power three days later. Such incidents highlight the vulnerability of the region to significant weather events and the need for resilient energy infrastructure.

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Additional Resources

• WLTX: South Carolina Power Outages and Storm Damage
• WIS TV: Duke Energy Reports Power Outages in Newberry County
• The State: Weather News and Power Outages
• SC Daily Gazette: Flooding and Power Outages in Tropical Storm Helene’s Wake
• WYFF4: South Carolina Power Outage Updates
• Wikipedia: Power Outage
• Google Search: South Carolina Severe Weather
• Google Scholar: Power Outages South Carolina
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Power Outage
• Google News: South Carolina Weather Outages

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.