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Tropical Storm Idalia (formerly Hurricane Idalia) will sweep across South Carolina Wednesday night and Thursday morning with damaging winds, heavy rain and flash flooding in central South Carolina and dangerous storm surges along the coast. Click here for the latest storm predictions from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The storm could create widespread power outages, but South Carolina’s electric cooperatives have extra crews and material on hand to begin restoration work as quickly as possible and repair any damage to the power grid.
For tips and advice on how to keep your family, friends, pets and property safe in violent weather, see the Storm Center page at SCLiving.coop/storm-center. There you’ll find links to these resources and articles:
- Statewide outage map. This handy resource allows you to track power outages and the status of repairs. Search by cooperative or county.
- Reporting your power outage. If you see downed power lines or your home experiences a power outage, use this directory to report it to your local electric cooperative. Don’t assume another member has called.
- Generator safety. Learn how to protect the lives of your family and the co-op’s line crews when using portable and permanent generators in the aftermath of a storm.
- Food safety tips during a power outage. Storm-induced power outages can take you by surprise. If you’ve lost power and have a refrigerator full of food, make sure time and temperatures are on your side.
- Stay away from downed power lines. When a heavy storm damages utility poles and brings down power lines there is always a risk of serious injury or death.
- Restoring your power after a storm. When a major storm hits, electric co-op lineworkers stand ready to swing into action to repair power outages, often before the storm is even over. Learn how they safely restore power to the greatest number of customers in the shortest time possible.
- How you can help your cooperative. After a storm, your local electric cooperative is committed to restoring your power as quickly and as safely as possible. For those who want to help in that effort, here are some do’s and don’ts to keep everyone—the public and the repair crews—safe.
- Turn Around Don’t Drown PSA. Heavy rains can cause dangerous flash flooding. The National Weather Service reminds motorists that cars can get swept away in as little as 12 inches of flowing water. Watch this video to better understand and avoid the risk.