COLUMBIA, S.C. — Tropical Storm Helene has brought extensive problems to the Midlands of South Carolina, including power outages, downed streets, and impassable roads.
News19 has received numerous reports of trees down on homes, cars, and lying in the middle of roads. Many agencies have asked people to stay off the roads if necessary.
All those downed trees have led to significant power outages, with over 1.3 million reported statewide. News19 is posting updates about conditions, including road closures, below.
8 a.m.
Irmo Fire District posted on Facebook, "We have dozens of trees down blocking roads, trees into houses, wires down, fires and the usual medical aids. We do not have enough resources available right now to clear the roads or address all of the power lines down. Power is out, street lights are out, it’s pandemonium.
Many people who have left home have been involved in vehicle accidents and those are blocking roads, too. If you leave your home, you will be in danger. Not may, WILL.
SHELTER IN PLACE until the worst of the storm passes and we can catch up with the pending emergencies."
7:47 a.m.
Newberry County Emergency Management issues a Shelter In Place warning. "Danger in travel exists. You endanger yourself and emergency crews. Flying debris, high wings,flooded roads. This is a dangerous situation. Stay in place. Do not call 911 for power outages. We have no tornado warnings but high wind and rain from hurricane is causing life endangering situations"
In Camden, police report Gordon Street between Laurens and Chestnut streets is closed due to a downed power line and tree blocking the road.
Lexington Police report the following roads blocked by either fallen trees or downed power lines:
- Maxie Road near Old Chapin Road
- 200 block Cedar Road
- Taylor Drive near East Main Street - Reopened
- 300 block of Pilgrim Church Road - Reopened
- Hendrix Street near Barr Road
- 700 block Mallard Lakes Drive - One Lane Open
- 200 block Corley Street
- 600 block Corley Street
- Tarrar Springs Road at Athena Lane
- Several Areas of Mineral Springs Road
- 5700 block of Sunset Blvd/US-378
- 4801 Sunset Blvd/VLMHP Entrance
- South Church Street at Roberts Street
- Satcher Road at Pond View Lane
- Several Streets in Golden Hills
- Wildlife Road at Quin Oak
Report downed trees over the roadway in the Town of Lexington by calling 803-359-6260.
7:15 a.m.
While News19 Meteorologists are expecting the worst of Hurricane Helene to exit the Midlands late Friday morning, there are some residual effects left by Helene's overnight passage through the state. Here's a snapshot of what's going on.
Power outages
Poweroutage.us tracks power outages throughout South Carolina. At 7:15 a.m. there were 78,799 customer outages in Richland County; 85,982 in Lexington; 9,265 in Sumter; 10,001 in Newberry; and 11,425 in Orangeburg
- Forest Acres Police (FAPD) report power out along Forest Drive to Trenholm Road affecting businesses in the area, including Trenholm Plaza
- Piney Grove at I-26/Bower Parkway
Trees down
FAPD reports crews working to remove a large tree on Trenholm Road at Whitaker Drive. In addition to that one, there are also 14 other roads blocked by trees in Forest Acres, including:
- Linbrook
- Gamewell
- Percival at Overcreek
- Percival at Northshore
- Rockbridge
- Trenholm and Churchill
- Laurel Springs
- Spring Lake
- Landers Street
- Crystal Drive
- Sylvan and Daniel
- Bethel Church Road
- Storkland Drive
Also in Forest Acres, Lakeshore Road is deemed impassable and Forest Drive remains closed at the Gills Creek bridge
A tree has been reported down across Broad River Road near SLED headquarters. The tree allegedly fell on power lines.
Tree down on Community Road in Blythewood, between Blythewood Road and Northpoint Boulevard
Businesses and government offices affected
SC Oncology offices in Columbia and Sumter are closed for the day due to power outage
ALL Cooperative Health offices are closed
ALL Lexington Medical Center Physicians Offices are on a delay, first patients will be seen at 10 a.m.
Lexington County municipal offices are on a two-hour delay and are expected to open at 10 a.m. Administrative offices are currently without power.
Lexington County Collection and Recycling Centers will operate 1-7 p.m. Friday, returning to regular hours on Saturday
