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UPDATE: high winds bring power outages; Bridges, road closures
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Nearly 5,000 electric customers across the Lowcountry are without power Saturday after strong winds and a line of storms moved through the area.
As of 9:15 a.m., Dominion Energy reported 2,266 outages in Charleston County, 214 in Colleton County, 39 in Berkeley County and nine in Dorchester County
The Berkeley Electric Cooperative reported 1,070 without power in Berkeley County, 161 without power in Charleston County and 14 without power in Dorchester County.
The Edisto Electric Cooperative reported 103 without power in Dorchester County.
The Coastal Electric Cooperative reported 600 power failures in Colleton County.
The Santee Electric Cooperative reported 251 without power in Georgetown County.
North Charleston Police closed the eastbound side of I-526 near Daniel Island because of an overturned tractor trailer. Charleston Police say both the Don Holt and Wando Bridges have been closed because of strong winds overturning tractor-trailers.(SCDOT)
Earlier on Saturday, the Charleston Police Department said the Don Holt and Wando Bridges were closed after winds caused multiple overturned tractor-trailers and containers, police said.
Police said winds blew an empty container off its truck and slammed it into a Charleston Police cruiser driven by an officer who was responding to a disabled vehicle on the Wando Bridge. Police said the container then slid off the bridge into the water.
North Charleston Police said they shut down I-526 at the Virginia Avenue exit because of another overturned 18-wheeler.
Traffic was still moving on the Ravenel Bridge as of 9:15 a.m.
The South Carolina Department of Transportation typically does not close bridges during high winds, leaving that decision up to local law enforcement.
The Charleston County Emergency Operations Center says when sustained wind speeds reach 30 miles per hour, high-profile vehicles like box-type trucks, tractor trailers, motor homes and vehicles pulling travel tailers, box-type trailers or large boats or other watercraft should not use bridges with spans of 65 feet or higher.
Once sustained winds reach 40 mph, the county issues a “Condition Red” advisory, stating the bridges are considered unsafe for travel. Law enforcement vehicles may not be present on bridges because of unsafe conditions, and drivers are essentially using the bridges at their own risk.
Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.
FIRST ALERT: 2 bridges, portion of I-526 close because of strong winds
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The Charleston Police Department says two bridges have been closed because of high winds.
The Don Holt and Wando Bridges were closed Saturday morning, the agency said on Twitter. The closure came after winds caused multiple overturned tractor-trailers and containers, police said.
North Charleston Police said they have shut down I-526 at the Virginia Avenue exit because of another overturned 18-wheeler.
Traffic was still moving on the Ravenel Bridge as of just before 8 a.m.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.