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3,000+ without power after tree falls on lines in Lancaster County

LANCASTER COUNTY, S.C. — 11:10 p.m. UPDATE: There were 800 customers without power.

More than 3,000 people were without power in Lancaster County Tuesday morning, and officials have warned that the outages may last into the evening hours.

The widespread power outage was caused when a tree crashed down onto power lines early Tuesday near the University of South Carolina-Lancaster campus.

The tree brought down lines and broke power poles as it fell, and with temperatures as hot as they are, power crews were having difficulty making the repairs.

Those who live in the area will most likely have to wait until close to 10 p.m. for their power to be completely restored because the damage was so extensive.

"We understand what our customers are going through right now," a Duke Energy spokesperson said. "We understand their angst also, and we're working as hard and fast, but as safely, as we can to get them back on."

"My wife woke up and said the power was off,” resident Dean Benton said. “Woke me up and we’ve been up ever since.”

The location of the outage was in a remote area where there are no roads to bring out repair trucks.

Crews are having to dig holes in the ground by hand to place new power poles.

"You’ve got to go old school,” said Rick Jiran, with Duke Energy. “These folks are working in 90 degrees, hand carrying in all of their equipment."

Benton is looking to wait out the outage.

"What are you going to do?” Benton said. “I don’t know. We'll do something. Go to a motel or something."

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