Helene claims nearly 40 in South Carolina as damages near $20M, officials say

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — South Carolina’s death toll from Helene is likely to rise in the coming days, with the storm already being blamed for nearly 40 statewide deaths, Gov. Henry McMaster and other officials said on Tuesday.

“This has really hit our region hard,” McMaster said at an afternoon briefing.

Nationally, the fatality rate from Helene has surpassed 150.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and other government officials told residents displaced by Hurricane Helene and those worried about loved ones that a massive effort continued Tuesday to bring stability to the mountains — and to their lives.

“No matter where you are in western North Carolina, if you need help, we are working around the clock to reach you,” Cooper said at a media briefing in Raleigh.

The state Division of Emergency Management confirmed 38 storm-related deaths in North Carolina from Helene, with the number expected to rise.

“The devastation brought by Helene is beyond belief. Communities were wiped off the map,” Cooper said. He planned to return the damaged areas later Tuesday.

More than 1,100 people were staying in close to 30 shelters in the region, with over 400 roads still closed and hundreds of rescues completed, officials said. First responders and others were working to locate people whose loved ones or friends had not heard from or needed welfare checks.

The National Guard ferried close to 200,000 pounds (90,700 kilograms) of food and other necessities out of the Asheville Regional Airport on Monday, North Carolina guard Major General Todd Hunt said.

Back in the Palmetto State, McMaster said 900 National Guard soldiers are on the ground, along with 18 chainsaw teams and more on the way from Florida, Michigan and Virginia.

“The numbers are enormous that are participating in this effort,” he said.

State emergency management director Kim Stenson said 18 counties so far have reported 1,500 damaged homes, including 21 that have been destroyed, along with $16 million worth of public assistance costs from 36 counties.

“Both of those are subject to change as we move forward, and they went up significantly since yesterday,” he said.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this story.

* * *

Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12 . See more of his work here .

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.