News Summary
Columbia, South Carolina has been hit by severe weather resulting in significant power outages across the Midlands. Wind gusts reached 60-70 mph, leaving approximately 140,000 residents without power. Communities in several counties, including Lexington and Newberry, experienced outages and damage from possible tornadoes, complicating recovery efforts. Authorities continue to work on power restoration while advising residents to remain cautious as additional storms are expected.
Columbia, South Carolina – Severe weather, including wind gusts reaching between 60-70 mph, has caused widespread power outages across the Midlands of South Carolina. As of Saturday evening, approximately 140,000 outages were reported statewide due to the storms, significantly impacting residents in multiple counties.
As of 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, specific areas reported the following numbers of residents affected by power outages:
- Lexington County: 34,989 residents without power
- Saluda County: 8,567 residents affected
- Richland County: 17,490 customers impacted
- Fairfield County: 1,978 customers without power
- Newberry County: 6,700 residents affected
The total impact across the state saw over 145,000 customers without power, with the two most affected energy providers being Dominion Energy, which reported 47,678 outages, and Duke Energy with 45,339 customers affected.
Initial reports out of Newberry County suggested that damage was possibly caused by a tornado or a downburst. Communities in the area experienced considerable destruction, including downed trees and power lines, complicating recovery efforts and causing numerous blockages on local roads.
In response to the adverse weather conditions, Sheriff Lee Foster of Newberry County advised residents to reserve calling 911 for emergencies only, as crews worked diligently to restore power in challenging and dangerous conditions. Authorities were mobilized, including emergency services, the South Carolina Department of Transportation, and utility companies, which faced hazardous weather conditions while attempting to restore services.
Progress was made into Sunday, with power outage numbers reflecting a decreased impact as of noon. The following areas reported fewer outages:
- Richland County: 3,682 residents without power
- Lexington County: 4,040 residents affected
- Newberry County: 843 residents without power
- Saluda County: 783 residents without power
- Fairfield County: 461 outages remaining
Recovery efforts are ongoing, with local teams working around the clock to ensure safety and restore services to those affected. Weather forecasts indicate that conditions are expected to improve overnight; however, another round of storms is likely to hit the area on Sunday, raising concerns for residents who are still without power.
This severe weather event highlights the vulnerability of the Midlands of South Carolina to damaging storms and the ongoing challenges faced by both utility providers and emergency responders during and after such incidents. Residents are advised to remain cautious and stay updated on weather developments and power restoration efforts as communities continue to recover from the powerful storms.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Severe Weather Action in Texas as Emergency Resources Mobilized
South Carolina Faces Hurricane Preparedness Challenges
Tim Pearson Takes Charge at Duke Energy in South Carolina
Duke Energy Appoints Tim Pearson as New President in South Carolina
Restoration Efforts Continue in the Carolinas Post-Hurricane Helene
Duke Energy Appoints New President for South Carolina Operations
Duke Energy Mobilizes Workers for Hurricane Helene Recovery
Tim Pearson Appointed State President of Duke Energy in South Carolina
South Carolina Appoints New Duke Energy State President
Duke Energy’s Vision for South Carolina’s Energy Future
Additional Resources
- WIS TV: Severe Weather Causes Power Outages Across Midlands
- Wikipedia: Severe Weather
- WLTX: South Carolina Power Outages from Storm Damage
- Google Search: South Carolina Weather
- ABC Columbia: Power Outages Reported Across Midlands
- Google Scholar: Severe Weather Impacts
- WACH: South Carolina Residents Endure Power Outage
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Power Outages
- The State: Weather News on Power Outages
- Google News: Power Outages Midlands
Author: STAFF HERE Chapin
CHAPIN STAFF WRITER The CHAPIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREchapin.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chapin, Lexington 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 Chapin Christmas Parade, Fourth of July Celebration, and the Chapin Fall Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chapin Chamber of Commerce and the Lexington School District One, plus leading businesses in retail and recreation that power the local economy such as Lake Murray Tourism and the Chapin Visitor Information. 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, HEREspartanburg.com, HEREaustin.com, HEREcollegestation.com, HEREdallas.com, HEREhouston.com, and HEREsanantonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
