Hurricane Helene Causes Major Power Disruptions: How Long Until Recovery?

At a Glance

Over 4,500 federal personnel are supporting states impacted by Hurricane Helene, with more than 1,000 from FEMA.
President Biden will visit North Carolina to meet with community leaders and first responders.
As of now, 446,000 customers in South Carolina and 346,000 in North Carolina remain without power.
Emergency crews are working to clear roads, restore power, and reach stranded individuals.
The storm caused the worst flooding in a century in North Carolina, with over 2 feet of rain in some areas.

Helene’s Devastation and the Impact on Power Infrastructure

Hurricane Helene has wreaked havoc on the power infrastructure across the Southeast. The storm downed power lines and flooded numerous electrical substations, which are vital parts of the grid. Duke Energy, the main utility provider, reported around 370 substations were damaged. Flooding in many areas means restoration could take weeks, if not months. Despite much progress, many regions still suffer from prolonged outages due to the extensive flooding.

To alleviate restoration delays, Duke Energy employed mobile substations. However, challenges like inaccessible areas and complete infrastructure destruction hinder timely restoration. As of Tuesday morning, 446,000 customers in South Carolina and 346,000 in North Carolina remain without power. The overwhelming majority of outages were due to power line damage, but some substations have since been restored.

The Charlotte utility giant said damage from the storm is "unlike anything we have seen before in the Carolinas." https://t.co/b1ZUzsfNWP

— Charlotte Business Journal (@CBJnewsroom) September 30, 2024

Federal and State Support in the Recovery Efforts

Over 4,500 federal personnel are aiding in the recovery, including more than 1,000 from FEMA. President Biden will visit North Carolina to meet with community leaders and first responders. Major Disaster declarations have been approved for Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and 41 counties in Georgia. FEMA shipped over 7.1 million meals, 6.5 million liters of water, 150 generators, and 200,000 tarps to the affected region, delivering essential relief to disaster survivors.

“Communities were wiped off the map,” North Carolina’s governor, Roy Cooper, said at a news conference Tuesday.

The American Red Cross deployed over 850 trained disaster workers and opened shelters to assist affected individuals. Crisis Cleanup also offers free services like cutting fallen trees and tarping roofs. Residents can apply for federal assistance through FEMA online, by phone, or via the FEMA app. Emergency crews are tirelessly working to clear roads, restore power, and reach stranded individuals to ensure their safety and well-being.

Hurricane Helene has caused extensive damage in numerous states across the Southeast and Midwest. Now energy companies are scrambling to restore power for close to a million customers left in the dark.https://t.co/bZ4JrHkoYC

— fox8news (@fox8news) September 30, 2024

Ongoing Challenges and Future Considerations

Helene’s death toll has reached 134, marking it as one of the deadliest storms in U.S. history. The storm caused the worst flooding in a century in North Carolina, with over 2 feet of rain in some areas and over two dozen water plants remaining closed. Cadaver dogs and search crews are actively seeking victims in western North Carolina. The Blue Ridge Mountains, particularly around Asheville, faced severe damage and fatalities. Active-duty U.S. military units may be mobilized for long-term recovery efforts.

“The devastation of Hurricane Helene is unlike anything we have seen before in the Carolinas,” said Jennifer Garber, a Duke Energy spokeswoman.

Many residents are frustrated and stranded due to extensive power and cellular service outages caused by Helene. Federal and state officials are coordinating extensively to expedite the recovery process and mitigate further damage. The commitment to restore the Southeastern states’ infrastructure remains strong, but accessibility issues and widespread destruction pose significant challenges, potentially prolonging the recovery effort.