South Carolina’s storm-related death toll rises to 29

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) – Nearly 30 people have died in South Carolina following Hurricane Helene’s impacts on the state.

Heather Biance, Director of Public Affairs for the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, provided an update Monday morning saying 29 storm-related deaths have been confirmed.

That’s four additional deaths from Sunday’s report.

• Aiken: 5
• Anderson: 4
• Chesterfield: 1
• Greenville: 6
• Greenwood: 1
• Newberry: 2
• Saluda: 3
• Spartanburg: 6
• York: 1

Biance said the numbers were confirmed through the coroner’s office in each county.

Gov. McMaster said during a Sunday afternoon briefing on storm recovery efforts that Helene’s impact on South Carolina was one of the most shocking disasters that has occurred. “In this case, the Upstate has not seen anything like this. If not ever,” he said.

McMaster warned residents to be aware of downed powerlines while working to clear debris, and officials urged caution in areas where power outages impacted traffic signals.

“We want everyone to be careful,” McMaster said. “We don’t need anymore tragedies.”

Still, Gov. McMaster and other leaders said the number of storm-related fatalities could rise.