CAYCE, S.C. (WCBD) – An estimated 2,700 Dominion Energy employees and contract workers are working tirelessly to restore power across South Carolina after Tropical Storm Helene knocked out power to approximately 386,000 customers. Within 24 hours of the storm’s arrival, power was restored to 200,000 customers, but about 180,000 are still without power. Severe winds […]
CAYCE, S.C. (WCBD) – An estimated 2,700 Dominion Energy employees and contract workers are working tirelessly to restore power across South Carolina after Tropical Storm Helene knocked out power to approximately 386,000 customers. Within 24 hours of the storm’s arrival, power was restored to 200,000 customers, but about 180,000 are still without power.
Severe winds and heavy rain caused significant damage across the state, toppling trees, power lines, and poles from the Midlands to the coast. The hardest-hit areas include the Midlands and the western parts of Dominion Energy’s service territory. Restoration efforts in these regions may last into next week due to the massive, labor-intensive work required.
“We made significant progress in the first 24 hours, but those numbers don’t mean a lot for our customers who woke up in the dark today,” said Keller Kissam, president of Dominion Energy South Carolina. “With widespread, severe damage reminding you of Hurricane Hugo 35 years ago, we understand customers will be frustrated until lights are back on and their lives return to normal. I am thankful for every one of our fellow South Carolinians for their resilience, patience, and understanding as we work hard to rebuild our system in the days ahead.”
The restoration team includes 125 Dominion Energy Virginia workers, along with additional help from Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, and Texas. Dominion Energy has also opened a spill gate at the Lake Murray Dam to manage water levels, with personnel monitoring the situation closely.
Safety Tips for Customers:
Report outages via the Dominion Energy app, website, or by calling 800-251-7234.
Check the outage map for real-time updates on restoration efforts.
Avoid downed power lines—always assume they are live and dangerous. Report downed lines to 888-333-4465.
Follow Dominion Energy on social media for ongoing updates and safety tips.
For homes requiring repairs to storm damage, such as the weatherhead or meter base, an electrician must complete repairs before power can be reconnected.
For more information, visit Dominion Energy’s Outage Restoration & FAQs page.