At least 23 people have died across South Carolina after Hurricane Helene — one of the largest storms in decades — devastated the Southeastern United States, causing widespread flooding, damaging roads and homes and leaving more than 1 million without power.
The death toll has eclipsed the 19 deaths caused by the state’s historic flooding in 2015, and getting closer to the 35 deaths caused by Hurricane Hugo in 1989.
In most cases in South Carolina, the victims were killed when trees fell on them.
Across the region, at least 44 people have died as a result of the storm, the Associated Press reported. The storm caused massive damage in Georgia, North Carolina and Florida when it came onshore early Friday morning as a category 3 hurricane.
Here’s what we know about the deaths in South Carolina:
Aiken County
The Aiken County Coroner’s Office is investigating four deaths related to the storm.
Just after 11:30 a.m. Friday, an elderly couple were found dead in their home in the 300 block of Church Road in Beech Island after a tree crashed through the roof of their home. They were identified as 78-year-old Jerry Savage and his wife, 74-year-old Marcia Savage.
A New York resident, 29-year-old Michael Roukous, was found dead just before 10 a.m. Friday. A tree fell through the roof of a bed and breakfast home he was renting on Casnettie Road in Beech Island.
A 70-year-old man was found dead around 9 a.m. Friday after a tree had fallen through the roof of his home in Aiken. His identity was not released because the family had not yet been notified.
Anderson County
Three storm-related deaths were reported in Anderson County.
One victim was identified as 55-year-old Christine Lynn Schmeiske. Due to high winds and heavy rain, a tree fell on her house in the 400 block of Whitner Street. According to the Anderson County Coroner’s Office, she had been trapped under heavy debris early Friday morning.
A second woman in Anderson County also died from a fallen tree falling on her home. She was identified as 54-year-old Sandy Lee Fisher.
A third victim, whose name was not released, died in a traffic accident that the coroner has since said was storm-related.
Greenville County
At least four people died in Greenville County. Details were not immediately available.
Greenwood County
The Greenwood County Coroner’s Office confirmed at least one death in Greenwood County.
Greenwood County Coroner Sonny Cox told The State on Saturday that his office was not releasing the name of the deceased but that a tree had come down on his house. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene, Cox said.
Newberry County
Two people died as a result traffic-related incidents caused by the Helene, Gov. Henry McMaster confirmed at a press conference Friday.
Saluda County
Two volunteer firefighters were killed in Saluda County after a tree fell on their firetruck on Beulah Road around 6:30 a.m. Friday, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol. They were identified as 53-year-old Chad Satcher and 18-year-old Landon Cale Bodie, both of Leesville.
Two other Saluda County residents were killed at their homes, officials said, at least one by a fallen tree.
“Our deepest condolences are with their families during this difficult time,” the county said in its news release.
Spartanburg County
Five people were reported killed in Spartanburg County.
Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger told local reporters that one death was the result of a tree falling on a campsite in Chesnee.
In Landrum, two people on a golf cart were killed when a tree fell on them. Another person in Landrum died after their car was swept away by water.
Another death was that of 34-year-old Anna Maria Smith of Inman. A tree fell on her home on Rainbow Circle while she was inside.
This is a breaking story and will be updated.
