MONCKS CORNER, S.C. – – Santee Cooper personnel are prepared for the anticipated effects the forecasted ice and sleet may have on Santee Cooper’s customers. Approximately 2 million South Carolinians depend on the state-owned electric and water utility as their power source, either directly or through the state’s electric cooperatives.
As of 3 p.m. today, Santee Cooper went to OpCon 2 alert status. This means a threat to Santee Cooper’s electric system is imminent or has occurred, but effects are limited or still uncertain. Santee Cooper opened its Emergency Operations Center in Moncks Corner and area storm centers, and the utility is increasing staffing in transmission and distribution control centers to support any restoration activities. The utility also is securing additional contract and mutual aid crews and helicopter support.
“Our equipment is lined up, our vehicles are ready, and we have additional line crews ready to help so we can respond to outages as soon as we safely can,” said Mike Poston, Chief Customer Officer. “Santee Cooper will make every effort to keep electricity flowing to our wholesale and industrial customers and 198,000 customers in Berkeley, Georgetown and Horry counties.”
Residential and commercial customers can report outages at stormcenter.santeecooper.com or by calling 888-769-7688. Customers also can find information on storm safety, including generator and downed power line safety, at Santee Cooper’s Storm Center.