Author: Dick Mangrum

Lights are on in Bountyland this evening, as a large section of apparent Seneca-served sections appear restored — a large Pike Electric truck seen there.  By 1 this afternoon, Duke Energy counted 723 thousand restored, but about 1.1 million remain unconnected.  And the utility makes this prediction:  nearly all customers OUTSIDE the western parts of the Carolinas should have power […]

Oconee Emergency Services has a QR code to help county residents with crisis cleanup.  A QR code is a two-dimensional barcode that can be scanned by a smartphone camera to assess info.  Those without smartphones may report debris, unsafe road conditions and other concerns by calling 864/638-5911.

In the aftermath of the storm and the fact that it’s a game day at Clemson, traffic is an even greater concern.  Here’s the city’s advice:  If you’re attending the football game, please avoid neighborhood streets.  Stick to main roads and allow extra time for travel.  Be patient and courteous to others, as traffic may be heavier than usual.

Mike Adams announces there will be no services tomorrow at the Souls Harbor Baptist Church.

Chris Eleazer, executive director of the Oconee Joint Regional Sewer Authority, has provided the following update on Helene’s impact on county sewage treatment:   The treatment plant was placed back into operation this morning around 8:30. We are currently treating 4,070 gallons per minute (approximately 5.86 million gallons per day). The plant has continued to meet or exceed all permitted […]

Duke Energy says line workers, tree trimmers and other storm support workers have started to assess the damage to restore power — in the aftermath of what its calls historic destruction in the Carolinas.  By 4 pm yesterday, the company said it had restored more than 380 thousand.  But about 1.3 million in the South Carolina Upstate and Western North […]

Dayshift Blue Ridge crews were scheduled to return to the field early this morning, relieving the nigh time crews.  The electric cooperative reports that its multi-day effort to restore electricity is underway, and it is following a comprehensive restoration plan that allows work to be done efficiently to restore power as safely and quickly as possible.  Blue Ridge crews are […]

Without electric power service, a goodly number of the WGOG land populace made it through the night with the help of candles, flashlights, and for a few, generators.  This morning there are working traffic lights at Miracle Circle.  One man in Seneca was heard to say that, while he started his car, he looked back at his home and was […]

Besides the loss of power service for many, Oconeeans who venture out are encountering intersections of no working traffic lights.  Be careful as you proceed through.  We’ve heard a lot about bodies of water overflowing.  One example is Little River north of Salem.  The current described there today as raging.