Greenville County, August 6, 2025
News Summary
Heavy rainfall has led to significant power outages in Greenville County, affecting nearly 1,898 customers initially, and later, thunderstorms caused another 8,000 outages. Restoration efforts were efficient, and power was mostly restored within hours. Animal interference, such as a squirrel contacting a transformer, also contributed to temporary outages. Local authorities worked to ensure traffic safety during the disruptions.
Greenville County Faces Power Outages Due to Severe Weather
Greenville County experienced significant power outages on Monday following heavy rainfall. Duke Energy reported that as many as 1,898 customers were without power into Tuesday morning. By 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, most of the affected customers had their power restored; however, the outages impacted numerous homes and local infrastructure.
In addition to the rain-induced outages, a separate incident early Tuesday involved a squirrel that caused another power disruption, affecting approximately 3,145 homes. This occurred when the animal made contact with a transformer, prompting automatic safety protocols to engage, which shut down four electrical circuits. Three of these circuits were quickly restored, but the fourth circuit took roughly half an hour to regain functionality.
This squirrel-related incident was not the only one in recent memory. On June 7, a similar event at a substation in Emerald Isle resulted in around 5,000 homes losing power for over an hour.
Additional power outages were reported on Wednesday night when thunderstorms caused approximately 8,000 customers in the Upstate, primarily in Spartanburg and Greenville counties, to lose their electricity. Western North Carolina also faced disruptions, with over 2,100 customers without power as of 11:13 p.m.
The thunderstorms led to significant challenges for local traffic, as several major intersections in Greenville were without power. Officers were deployed to direct traffic at locations including Memorial/N Greene, Memorial/Staten Rd, Memorial/Staten House Rd, Memorial/264 on ramps, and Memorial/Briley Rd to ensure safety.
Power Restoration Efforts
Power restoration efforts were underway shortly after the disruptions were reported. The Greenville Utilities Commission confirmed that all affected areas had their power restored by early afternoon on Wednesday, alleviating concerns regarding longer outages and the safety of affected residents.
Understanding the Impact of Weather on Power Infrastructure
Incidents of animals, such as squirrels, causing outages are relatively common and highlight the vulnerability of electrical infrastructure to external factors. While the recent weather has been severe, causing widespread disruption, utility companies continue to work diligently to restore power and ensure the safety of residents during such events.
In Summary
The recent weather disturbances in Greenville County led to substantial power outages due to both severe storms and animal interference. Utility companies and local authorities worked effectively to mitigate these issues, restoring power and maintaining safety for all residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the power outages in Greenville County?
The outages were primarily caused by heavy rain and additional incidents involving a squirrel that interfered with a transformer.
When were the power outages reported?
Power outages were reported on Monday with severe weather continuing into Tuesday and Wednesday.
How many customers were affected by the power outage?
At the height of the outages, approximately 1,898 customers were without power, followed by additional outages affecting over 8,000 customers the following evening.
What was done to restore power?
Utility companies worked to restore power rapidly after outages were reported, and all affected areas had their power restored by early afternoon on Wednesday.
Key Features of Power Outages in Greenville County
| Event | Date | Customers Affected | Restoration Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rain-Induced Outage | Monday | 1,898 | By Tuesday Morning |
| Squirrel Incident | Tuesday | 3,145 | Approximately 30 minutes |
| Thunderstorm Outages | Wednesday Night | 8,000 | By Early Afternoon Thursday |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- Fox Carolina: Thousands Without Power Upstate During Storms
- WITN: Oh Nuts! Squirrely Power Outage Hits Greenville
- WNCT: Traffic Disrupted in Greenville Due to Power Outage
- WCTI: Greenville Utility Commission Reports Power Outage Affecting 1900
- WYFF: South Carolina, North Carolina Power Outages from Storms
- Wikipedia: Power Outage
- Google Search: Power Infrastructure Weather
- Google Scholar: Power Outage Causes
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Power Outage
- Google News: Greenville Power Outages
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
The HERE Greenville Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenville community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenville Our team includes lifelong Greenville residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sales in the Heritage Historic District 17 , Greenville’s textile and railroad heritage 2 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Greenville Technical College programs) 27 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
