News Summary
Severe thunderstorms in the Midlands of South Carolina led to widespread power outages affecting around 140,000 residents. Strong winds exceeded 60 mph, causing major disruptions and prompting emergency responses. Multiple counties reported significant outages, with ongoing restoration efforts due to hazardous conditions on roads from downed trees and power lines. Residents are urged to stay cautious as more thunderstorms are forecasted.
Severe Thunderstorms Cause Widespread Power Outages Across Midlands, SC
The Midlands of South Carolina experienced significant power outages due to severe thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds, with gusts exceeding 60 mph, on June 7 and into June 8. Approximately 140,000 residents across the state lost power as a result of the storms, disrupting daily life and prompting an intensive response from emergency services.
As of Saturday night, June 7, the power outages were widespread, impacting multiple counties. By noon on Sunday, June 8, the number of residents without power had decreased. The following metrics were noted:
- Richland County: 3,682 residents without power
- Lexington County: 4,040 residents without power
- Newberry County: 843 residents without power
- Saluda County: 783 residents without power
- Fairfield County: 461 residents without power
In total, more than 145,000 customers experienced outages statewide, comprising 47,678 Dominion Energy customers and 45,339 Duke Energy customers. Initial reports indicated significant numbers of outages that were later updated, with continuing efforts underway to restore service.
Severe Weather Impact
The storms appeared to be fueled by a combination of factors, and Sheriff Lee Foster of Newberry County confirmed that the area was significantly affected by what was likely a tornado or downburst. This violent weather resulted in numerous downed trees and power lines throughout the affected regions.
In addition to the power outages, local reports indicated hazardous conditions on roadways due to downed power lines, particularly along Barhamville Road and Broad River Road, leading to temporary road closures. Emergency services and crews from the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) were deployed swiftly to address these dangerous situations while working diligently to restore power to affected communities.
Public Safety and Recommendations
Authorities advised the public to refrain from calling 911 except in true emergencies, as the ongoing restoration efforts require focused resource allocation. The power restoration teams face challenging conditions as they work to restore service safely. Residents are urged to exercise caution and stay clear of any downed power lines and active utility work sites.
Future Weather Conditions
As weather forecasts indicated a possible continuation of severe thunderstorms, areas south of I-20 remained at risk for further storms on Sunday. Wind gusts reaching up to 50 mph were anticipated on the morning of June 8, raising concerns about further power disruptions and safety hazards. Weather conditions were expected to improve overnight, but the community remained on alert for any unexpected developments.
Efforts to manage the situation and restore the electrical infrastructure were ongoing. Local power companies, emergency services, and transportation departments collaborated seamlessly to bring stability back to the regions affected by these intense storms.
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Additional Resources
- WIS TV: Severe Weather Causes Power Outages Across Midlands
- Google Search: Severe Weather Power Outages South Carolina
- WLTX: South Carolina Power Outages and Storm Damage
- Wikipedia: Thunderstorm
- ABC Columbia: Power Outages from Severe Weather
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Severe Weather
- Post and Courier: Severe Weather in Columbia
- Google News: Midlands Power Outages
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The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette 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 Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
