Letter to the Editor
Entire towns submerged. Homes and businesses destroyed. Lives lost.
Hurricane Florence has devastated communities and impacted thousands of lives across South Carolina but particularly in the Pee Dee region. While some are anxiously waiting for the floodwaters to recede, the clean-up effort is underway in some places as we get through this trying time together.
A number of our neighbors and friends lost much more than electric power from this historic storm. But we know our customers are counting on us to help restore normalcy to their lives. Duke Energy stands with our communities alongside the more than 20,000 workers who have safely restored power to tens of thousands of customers in South Carolina. And we won’t stand down until the job is completed.
Times like these are trying for all of us, so we certainly appreciate the patience of our customers as Duke Energy worked tirelessly to restore their electricity in very difficult conditions.
Our work would not be possible without the extraordinary partnerships and support we’ve received. We have worked with emergency management, first responders and local, state and national agencies to help navigate hazards, travel routes, secure police escorts and coordinate access to the hardest hits areas to make repairs and restore power. Additionally, workers from fellow utilities traveled from 25 states to help stand up the largest restoration workforce in our company’s history in the Carolinas.
I’ve also been uplifted by the strong support and outpouring of gratitude we’ve received from civic leaders and customers, despite the extensive damage to their homes, businesses and communities. Businesses have opened their doors (even without power) to allow us to gather supplies; churches have provided hot meals to line workers after a long day; and neighbors have offered words of encouragement to crews in the field.
It is our privilege to work alongside you as we rebuild in the hardest-hit areas of our state.
The people of South Carolina have been witness to historic storms like Hugo, Matthew and now Florence. More powerful than all of those storms is the resolve, grit and resiliency of the great people of this state.
The people of our state have united and are coming through in a time of need – in ways that make me proud to call South Carolina home. We know the road to recovery will be long for some in the Pee Dee region, and Duke Energy will be here, working beside you in the rebuilding efforts ahead.
Kodwo Ghartey-Tagoe
South Carolina President
Duke Energy
