Aiken Community Unites for Power Restoration Efforts After Tropical Storm Helene

Aiken Powers Up: Restoration Efforts Progress Following Tropical Storm Helene

Hello, Aiken! It’s been a challenging couple of days since Tropical Storm Helene blew through our area, but there’s some good news on the horizon. Power restoration efforts are in full swing, and it looks like we’re slowly but steadily getting back to normal. The hard-working crews are pulling together, and the community is showing just how strong we really are!

Current Power Outages

As of Sunday afternoon, October 6, around 7,078 of Dominion Energy’s 62,038 customers in Aiken County were still in the dark. The team behind these efforts assures us that they’re doing everything possible to restore power swiftly. Not to be forgotten, our friends in Edgefield County share a similar story, with 1,138 out of 7,565 customers without service. The president of Dominion noted that there’s now one lineman taking care of every seven households! That’s some serious dedication.

Aiken Electric Cooperative is also busy at work, having reported that about 6,000 of its 36,861 members in Aiken County were experiencing outages, while in Edgefield County, roughly 3,900 of 7,227 customers were affected. It’s worth mentioning that a “tent city” has popped up in Graniteville where hundreds of linemen are staying in the field to expedite the power restoration efforts. Talk about teamwork!

Restoration Expectations

Looking ahead, there’s hope on the horizon! Dominion Energy estimates that by Wednesday, October 9 at 11 p.m., approximately 95% of its customers in Aiken County will have their power restored. For Edgefield County, they’re aiming for a similar timeline with a projected 85% of residents back online by the evening of October 6, and 95% by the same Wednesday deadline. Fingers crossed!

Important Updates for Customers

Aiken Electric has been proactive—beginning October 2, they started notifying their customers about expected restoration times. If you haven’t received a message yet, don’t worry! You can update your contact info, and be included in future updates.

Supporting the Community

It’s not just about getting the lights back on—community support is also rolling strong! The Salvation Army is stepping in with dinner feeding sites open Sunday, October 6, from 5 p.m. until supplies last. You can find them at these locations:

• KJ’s in Aiken – 1048 York St. NE
• KJ’s in Edgefield – 155 Carolina Square

Insurance Assistance Available

Now that the storm has passed, it’s time to address the aftermath. The South Carolina Department of Insurance is offering assistance and remote claims services on Monday, October 7, and Tuesday, October 8. Head over to the Aldi’s Parking Lot at 2510 Whiskey Road from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. if you need help filing claims or have general insurance questions. Representatives from multiple insurance companies will be present to lend a helping hand.

A Call for Caution

As we push through recovery, it’s important to stay alert for potential frauds targeting those affected by the storm. Always report any suspected fraudulent activity to the authorities.

Aiken, We’ve Got This

Despite the trials and tribulations that storms like Helene can bring, our community spirit shines through! Let’s keep supporting each other as we weather the storm together and work towards brighter days ahead.