Power Outages Continue to Affect Lexington and Irmo
LEXINGTON, S.C. — The aftermath of Hurricane Helene has left many people in Lexington and Irmo grappling with extended power outages. As recovery efforts unfold, residents are working hard to get back to normal while navigating the challenges caused by the storm.
Desperate Journeys for Supplies
One resident, Raven Rodriguez, has become quite the hero among his friends and family in Augusta, making multiple trips to Lexington for essentials. With several homes and businesses still without power, Rodriguez is on his fourth supply run and is focused on finding gas, ice, and groceries.
“I’ve been going back and forth with like nine gas cans, filling them up, bringing them back to my friends and telling them, ‘Hey, look I found some gas stations, you know? So hopefully this helps you out,’” he shared. “Now we’re doing water next and food supplies, so we’re just doing runs back and forth to Augusta.”
The Gas Hunt
Albert Robinson, who lives in Saluda, ventured on a quest for gas that took him through various towns. After a lucky find in Lexington, he shared his relief, stating, “This is about the fifth station, and all up through Lexington nobody has gasoline, so we just kept riding. I pulled out here to see if there was any gas, and we finally got a fill-up, plus some extra for my generator. So at this point, we’re good to go for now because there’s no electricity in Batesburg-Leesville or Saluda.”
Devastating Loss for Local Businesses
Beneath the surface of disrupted daily life, local businesses are feeling the impact too. Viren Patel, the owner of Friarsgate Supermart, faced a huge setback when the storm caused a power outage that spoiled a significant amount of inventory. “I had to throw away a lot of the frozen items that I had, close to $7,000-$8,000 worth,” Patel lamented. “It’s heartbreaking. I just received a delivery of frozen items the day before, and then the lights went off.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the hardships, many are finding ways to connect and support one another. Communities are grateful for those stepping up to help. With normalcy still a few days away, many are banding together to weather the storm’s aftermath.
According to reports from Dominion Energy, they anticipate returning power to 95% of Lexington County by October 3rd at 11 p.m. This is welcome news for frustrated residents and businesses eager to resume their routines. The utility company’s efforts underscore the importance of keeping everyone updated as recovery progresses.
Resources for Residents
For residents still in the dark, keep an eye out for local resources and assistance options. It might be an ideal time to check in with neighbors, see who can share supplies, or find community resources that have emerged in these trying times.
In conclusion, while the storm has certainly shaken things up, the resilient spirit of Lexington and Irmo shines through. Residents are banding together, showing that even in challenging times, community will always prevail.
