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 people without power.
The death toll has eclipsed the 19 deaths from the state’s historic flooding in 2015, and is closing in on the 35 deaths caused by Hurricane Hugo in 1989.
In South Carolina, most victims were killed when trees fell on them.
At least 44 people died across the region as a result of the storm, the Associated Press reported. The storm caused extensive damage in Georgia, North Carolina and Florida when it made landfall early Friday morning as a Category 3 hurricane.
Here’s what we know about the South Carolina deaths:
Aiken County
The Aiken County coroner’s office is investigating four deaths linked to the storm.
Just after 11:30 a.m. Friday, an elderly couple was found dead in their home in the 300 block of Church Road on Beech Island after a tree fell 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. on Friday. A tree fell through the roof of a bed and breakfast house he was renting on Casnettie Road on Beech Island.
A 70-year-old man was found dead around 9 a.m. Friday after a tree fell 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 home in the 400 block of Whitner Street. She was trapped under heavy debris early Friday morning, according to the Anderson County Coroner’s Office.
A second woman in Anderson County also died when a fallen tree fell 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 fallen on his home. The person was pronounced dead at the scene, Cox said.
Newberry County
Two people have died as a result of traffic-related incidents caused by the Helene, Governor Henry McMaster confirmed at a news conference on Friday.
Province of Saluda
Two volunteer firefighters were killed in Saluda County after a tree fell on their fire truck 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 in their homes, officials said, at least one by a fallen tree.
“Our deepest condolences go out to their families during this difficult time,” the province said in its news release.
Spartanburg County
Five people were killed in Spartanburg County.
Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger told local reporters that one death resulted from a tree falling at a campground 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 house on Rainbow Circle while she was inside.
This is a current story and will be updated.
