Laurens Electric works to restore power to those still in dark after Helene

LAURENS COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – Fewer than five percent of homes powered by Laurens Electric Cooperative are still without power 11 days after Hurricane Helene.

98% of customers with Laurens Electric lost power due to the storm.

Crews from around the country took part in what was almost a complete rebuild of the power system.

One electric crew traveled from Minnesota and is working 16 to 17-hour days to get the power back on in Laurens County.

Jim Donahoo, a spokesperson for Laurens Electric, said nothing could have prepared them for this, but crews will continue to work until power is back on.

“We are not going to stop, the whole army of personnel is not going to stop until we get the last house lit,” said Donahoo.

One of those homes which will be among the last lit belongs to Jerry Bron. She said not only did they lose power, but there was damage to her neighborhood.

“The lady down the street, a tree fell on her car and demolished it and his truck. The windows broke in his truck so they had a good bit but there were trees all in the road,” said Bron.

Bron said she has never seen a power outage like this, but even with power out for almost two weeks, she can’t help but be grateful for her health and safety.

“North Carolina, my heart just aches for them and Florida,” Bron said. “In perspective, I have nothing to complain about. I’m OK and that I am grateful for.”

“I can tell you that our line workers are highly competent, highly skilled, and highly motivated and they are not going to stop,” said Donahoo. “They are laser focused to finish this job to the less than five percent we have on right now.”

Laurens Electric expects everyone to have power in Laurens County by October 11. There are 600 people working to bring power back on for those customers.

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