Rock Hill Faces Power Outages as Recovery Continues from Tropical Storm Helene
As the lovely city of Rock Hill wakes up today, many residents are still dealing with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene. With over 8,500 homes and businesses left in the dark, there’s hope on the horizon as power restoration efforts are underway.
Power Restoration Progress
According to Duke Energy, as of 9 a.m. Monday, there were still 4,162 customers in York County without power, along with 96 customers in Lancaster County. The good news? Power is expected to be back on by 5 p.m. today. Meanwhile, Chester County is enduring a longer wait, with 1,074 customers anticipating restoration by 7 p.m.
York Electric Cooperative also faced hardships on Monday morning, reporting about 3,155 customers still without power. Marc Howie, vice president of the cooperative, stated that they hope to restore service to 95 percent of their customers by tomorrow.
Damage and Cleanup Efforts
The storm did leave its mark, with hundreds of trees reported down in York County. Damage to homes and property has led to a few injuries as well, prompting the county to step in with a damage report website. This initiative allows residents to share their storm damage experiences and photos to aid recovery efforts.
From Friday through Sunday, public works crews worked tirelessly to clear over 50 roads, many of which were blocked by fallen trees. Meanwhile, debris removal began today, with trash and recycling centers open for business, except for the ones serving Sharon and Hickory Grove towns.
Lake Levels and Flooding
Water levels in the Catawba River lakes are also a concern, with six out of eleven lakes still above their full pond levels. For instance, Lake Wylie is just inches below full pond, but neighboring Mountain Island Lake is almost four feet above. Duke Energy has notified that flooding is a reality in several riverine areas due to the rising water.
Several areas in Rock Hill, such as part of Riverwalk, including the Pump House restaurant, and Catawba Park in Tega Cay, have experienced flooding. This is a significant reminder of how heavy rains can cause ongoing issues.
Sewage Spills and Health Alerts
In incidents like these, sewage spills can occur as well. Unfortunately, two spills were reported during Helene. A no-swim advisory was issued for parts of Lake Wylie due to overflow from a manhole. This spill released an estimated 8,500 gallons of wastewater, while a smaller spill near 310 River Road released approximately 500 gallons.
School Districts Respond to Power Outages
In light of all these disruptions, schools have adjusted their schedules accordingly. While Fort Mill and Lancaster County schools opened today as usual, Rock Hill, Clover, York, and Chester County schools decided to close due to ongoing power outages and concerns for students without electricity at home.
Rock Hill’s district, unable to operate food service today, has planned an e-learning makeup day for February 17, 2025. Likewise, Clover and York will conduct e-learning on January 6, 2025 to compensate for the missed classes.
Chester County’s district has also closed today, with plans for a weather makeup day on November 25.
Final Thoughts
As we continue navigating these challenges, let’s stay informed and support each other during this recovery period. This situation is ongoing, and updates will follow as more information becomes available. Together, the resilient community of Rock Hill will surely rise above the effects of Tropical Storm Helene.
