WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said "it's going to take time" for the state to recover from Tropical Storm Helene and the extensive damage it's left behind.
McMaster spoke Friday at South Carolina Emergency Operations Center in West Columbia, flanked by all the state's department heads who are responsible for safety during emergencies.
The governor confirmed at least four storm-related fatalities: two firefighters in Saluda County and two people in Newberry County, He did not give detail on what led up to the deaths. The number he gave did not include some information reported by the Associated Press, who said two people died in Anderson County and two more died in Spartanburg County, citing local officials.
He also urge caution on roads that have been littered with fallen trees. "Be careful on those highways, we've got a lot of electrical lines down, you could get hurt badly," McMaster said. "Where there is flooding, avoid roadways, look out for downed trees, and powerlines, don't drive around barricades, traffic signals out, treat it like a four-way stop, yield to the driver on your right."
Helene came ashore late Thursday night in Florida as a powerful Category 4 hurricane with winds of 140 miles an hour. It then raced its way through Georgia causing extensive destruction. While the storm never crossed into South Carolina, it triggered extensive flooding on Thursday throughout the Midlands and then lashed the area with heavy winds on Friday morning.
The combination of both the heavy winds and rain led to widespread down trees and powerlines throughout the area. The problem is extensive, with each community reporting significant problems with trees across roadways that are making it difficult to navigate the area.
Dominion Energy President Keller Kissam said while the power company's staff is working around the clock it could be the middle of next week before all power is restored.
Irmo Fire District described the situation as "pandemonium" in a Facebook post early Friday morning. Newberry County Sheriff Lee Foster said it was the worst damage he'd seen in his area since he took office--and he's been sheriff since 1989, longer than any sheriff in the state.
Forest Acres also had significant problems reporting over a dozen streets closed due to downed trees.
Even if a roadway has no downed trees, the lack of electricity means traffic lights aren't working.
Power outages are some of the worst seen in South Carolina in years, with nearly 1.4 million customers without electricity at its peak. While that number fell slightly by Friday afternoon, over 40 percent of the state still remained in the dark, according to the Associated Press.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden approved an emergency disaster declaration for the state to help the efforts of emergency officials here. Money will go to local government and certain nonprofit organizations to help coordinate response.