PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. (WBTW) – Flooded areas and fallen trees continue to challenge Santee Cooper transmission and distribution crews working to restore power to customers.
Crews spent Wednesday working in Pawleys Island but had to deal with downed trees, power lines and roads covered in sand before they could begin any work.
“Basically, picking up the wires off the ground, trying to remove any bad sections, pulling old poles and replacing with new ones, and you know, really just trying to test everything and look at everybody’s services to make sure everybody’s houses are intact and we’re not going to heat up anything that would cause any damage. We have to be very thorough with our work,” Engineer Brandon Biggs said.
“Our crews have worked hard and made great strides the past few days, restoring more than 100,000 retail customers and a significant part of our transmission system along the Grand Strand that was affected,” said Mike Poston, vice president of retail operations. “We are at the point now where we’re addressing the most difficult problems, where it’s hard to even reach the trouble spots. Our customers have been so supportive throughout this event, and I hope they will continue to be patient and know that we will continue to work around the clock until we’re done.”
Santee Cooper has called in crews from several states to assist in speeding up restoration efforts.
At last check just over 900 customers remain without Power in Pawleys Island and nearly 1900 in Georgetown County. The website shows an estimated restoration of Friday, October 14th.