Power Restoration Efforts Continue in Laurens County After Hurricane Helene
Laurens County, S.C, has been diligently working to restore power to its residents following the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene. After a grueling 11 days since the storm hit, less than five percent of homes powered by Laurens Electric Cooperative remain without power. It’s hard to believe that 98% of customers were affected at the height of the storm!
A Massive Undertaking
The scale of recovery efforts has been nothing short of monumental. Local crews have been joined by teams from all over the country, and they are essentially conducting a full rebuild of the compromised power system. One crew even traveled all the way from Minnesota to assist, laboring for 16 to 17 hours a day to restore electricity to homes in the area. Their hard work is truly commendable!
A Word from the Experts
Jim Donahoo, a spokesperson for Laurens Electric, expressed the enormous challenge they faced: “Nothing could have prepared us for this,” he stated. But there’s good news on the horizon! He assured residents, “We are not going to stop, the whole army of personnel is not going to stop until we get the last house lit.” What a relief to hear that commitment!
Community Resilience
Among the residents still waiting for their lights to come back on is Jerry Bron, who shared a heartwarming perspective on the situation. Despite suffering from a prolonged outage, she reported significant damage in her neighborhood, including a tree that fell on a neighbor’s car. She noted, “The windows broke in his truck so they had a good bit but there were trees all in the road.”
Yet, rather than letting frustration take hold, Bron chose to look on the bright side. “I have never seen a power outage like this,” she said, but despite the severity, she remains thankful for her health and safety. “In perspective, I have nothing to complain about. I’m OK and that I am grateful for,” she affirmed.
Keeping the Focus on Restoration
Donahoo further emphasized the unwavering commitment of the workers, referring to them as “highly competent, highly skilled, and highly motivated.” He added, “They are laser-focused to finish this job to the less than five percent we have on right now.” It’s inspiring to see such dedication in action!
Expected Timeline for Full Power Restoration
According to the latest updates, Laurens Electric Cooperative expects all customers in Laurens County to have their power restored by October 11. Impressively, around 600 people are currently working tirelessly to ensure that the remaining homes get back to normal as soon as possible.
Community Support and Care
Through adversity, the community is coming together, showing resilience not only in the face of a storm but also by appreciating the small wins. Hurricane Helene may have left its mark, but the enduring spirit of the residents and dedicated crews is what truly shines in the aftermath.
As we anxiously await full restoration, we can take heart knowing that help is on the way and that Laurens County will soon be buzzing with energy once again. Here’s hoping everyone stays safe during these challenging times, and let’s keep those positive vibes flowing!
