Aiken, S.C. — As recovery efforts continue following a severe storm that left hundreds of thousands without power, Governor Henry McMaster met with state leaders in Aiken on Sunday afternoon.
During an aerial assessment of the damage, he reported that while significant progress has been made, the state has tragically lost an estimated 25 lives due to the storm’s impact.
At the peak of the crisis, approximately 1.3 million customers were without electricity; that number has since decreased to below 900,000 as electric companies like Dominion Energy work tirelessly to restore power.
Dominion Energy President Keller Kissam explained the multi-step process for power restoration, starting with transmission and substations before moving to main feeders that serve essential businesses.
State Department of Transportation officials confirmed that all interstates have been cleared of debris and are now focusing on primary routes critical to state traffic.
As recovery efforts progress, officials urged residents to seek information from credible sources rather than relying on social media for updates.
Governor McMaster emphasized the importance of remaining calm and assured the public that help is on the way, while Kissam reminded everyone to stay informed through reliable channels.