Wednesday Power Outages Ensue as Tropical Storm Debby Strikes Grand Strand & Pee Dee
As Tropical Storm Debby continues to batter Grand Strand and Pee Dee on Wednesday, several hundred residents have found themselves without electricity. The tropical storm, bringing torrential rain and thunderstorms to thwart the South Carolina regions, has spurred a slew of power outages across multiple areas.
Power Outages Reported Across Regions
Areas reporting power shortages include Mullins, Garden City, Hartsville, McBee, North Myrtle Beach, and locations in Darlington County, Dillon, and Marion. The area most affected seems to be Mullins, with 319 power outages reported as of Wednesday afternoon.
In Garden City, Horry Electric reports that 26 inhabitants are currently facing power outages with users being urged to report any further outages on their emergency hotline. Amidst this, Duke Energy has identified an overall 510 power outages across their coverage area, with majority outages stationed between Hartsville and McBee.
Meanwhile, Santee Cooper reported less than five in North Myrtle Beach. Additionally, single outages were reported in Darlington County, with an alarming 480 reported in Dillon along with another 52 in Marion. The exact cause of these outages has yet been identified, although it is largely suspected that the ongoing tropical storm is likely to have played a significant role.
Debby Impacts Intensify
Tropical Storm Debby’s severe downpour and coastal winds continue to escalate in strength and impact as the day progresses, the risk level remains high for residents of the affected regions. The culmination of windy conditions, heavy rains, and potential flooding has left the local infrastructure vulnerable, and power outages are only a sliver of the consequences residents are grappling with.
Many businesses across South Carolina have also reported extensive damage due to Debby’s destructive winds and rain. Although authority officials are continuously monitoring the whole situation and taking necessary actions to restore the lost services, Debby’s ruthless battering has significantly complicated the efforts.
Ensuring Safety and Preparedness
Residents are urged to stay indoors, away from windows and glass doors, as the tropical storm shows no signs of deferment. A multitude of emergency hotlines have been made available for the public to report power outages, fallen trees, difficulties in accessing services or any other Debby-related issues.
As reinstatement efforts are in full push to restore electricity to the affected households, residents are being encouraged to be prepared. Simple precautions like fully charging electronic devices, ensuring the availability of battery backups, and storing essential items such like food, water, and medicines, could help them tide over the power outage period.
The Aftermath
The lasting effects of Tropical Storm Debby will certainly extend beyond the immediate damage done on Wednesday. South Carolina will likely face extensive cleanup and restoration in the wake of Debby. Many parts will need time to recoup their losses, but the resilience of the Grand Strand and Pee Dee communities will surely lead recovery efforts.
In the face of adversities caused by natural calamities, the strength and unity of the community are greatly tested. Here, in South Carolina, the residents remain steadfast and undeterred, ready to face all challenges that Debby may bring their way.
