Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm, has left a devastating trail across the southern United States, particularly wreaking havoc in the Carolinas. As of September 28, 2024, the death toll in South Carolina alone has risen to 25, a stark reminder of the storm’s severity. The storm, which made landfall on the Gulf Coast of Florida, swiftly barreled its way northward, hitting the Carolinas with unprecedented force. Helene brought with it historic flooding, powerful winds reaching up to 71 mph, and widespread destruction that has left communities in turmoil.
Unprecedented destruction across the Carolinas
The devastation caused by Helene has been felt most acutely in South Carolina, particularly in the Upstate region, which has not seen a storm of this magnitude in over a generation. Residents, many of whom were accustomed to tropical storms delivering moderate rain and winds, were caught off guard by the extent of the damage.
The storm uprooted trees, destroyed homes, and knocked out power to more than a million people across the state. Duke Energy, the largest power provider in the region, reported that as of September 28, 2024, nearly 830,000 South Carolinians were still without electricity. Crews from 19 states and even Canada have been called in to help restore power, but the process has been slow. The company warned that some residents might not see their lights come back on until October 4.
Duke Energy spokesman Ryan Mosier described the damage as historic. “There are trees down on nearly every yard and on many homes across the Upstate,” Mosier said, adding that many seasoned employees at Duke Energy had never encountered anything like this in their careers.
Lives lost in the wake of the storm
The human toll of the storm is perhaps the most
tragic aspect of Helene’s rampage. As of September 29th, 25 people in South Carolina had lost their lives due to the storm, including six in Spartanburg County and four in Greenville County. Most of the deaths were caused by fallen trees, including that of Karen McCall, 60, of Anderson, who was found in her overturned car after floods and high winds swept through the area.
The death toll in Spartanburg continued to climb as more victims were found. Jimmy Lee Wall, a 68-year-old man from Chesnee, was among those who perished. He died of carbon monoxide poisoning after running a generator inside his home. Authorities have since issued warnings to residents to avoid running any machinery inside enclosed spaces.
North Carolina also suffered casualties, with an 88-year-old man from Columbus, Ralph Selle, being swept away in his vehicle by floodwaters in Landrum, South Carolina. The sheer force of the water submerged his vehicle completely, adding to the growing number of tragic stories emerging in the wake of Helene.
Communities left in the dark
Beyond the human loss, Helene has left entire communities in the Carolinas without power or access to basic necessities. Gas shortages have exacerbated the crisis, with residents lining up for hours at the few stations that still had fuel. Tara Brady, a resident of Duncan, South Carolina, recounted her journey through long lines at gas stations in Anderson. “I knew I had enough gas to take my father-in-law home, but not enough to return,” she said.
For those without power, basic supplies such as food and charcoal have become rare commodities. Vivian Foster, a resident of Spartanburg, shared her experience of price-gouging as stores capitalized on desperate customers. “That’s definitely price-gouging to me,” Foster said after being asked to pay $23.99 for a small bag of charcoal.
In addition to gas shortages, fast food restaurants became a critical resource for those who were unable to cook due to power outages. “I think this has been an eye-opener,” Foster continued. “This is not something that we’ve experienced before, even with snow and ice storms. The damage that it’s done, nobody anticipated that it would be this devastating.”
A sluggish road to recovery
`The road to recovery is slow, and officials are urging patience. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, during a press conference in Greenville on September 29, 2024, acknowledged the magnitude of the disaster. “The Upstate has likely not seen anything quite like this, if ever,” McMaster said, urging residents to remain calm and patient as crews work to restore power and clear debris.
Greenville County, one of the hardest-hit areas, saw widespread damage to homes, roads, and infrastructure. Public works crews, emergency responders, and even the National Guard have been mobilized to assist in the recovery effort. “The more traffic we generate in Greenville County, the more gas we’re burning, which causes a cycle of problems at gas stations,” said Greenville County Chairman Dan Tripp, emphasizing the need for residents to stay off the roads.
Utility companies have also been working around the clock to restore power, but progress has been painstakingly slow. As Duke Energy crews cleared downed trees and repaired power lines, the company issued messages to customers explaining the delays. “Restoring power could take up to five more days — leaving some residents without electricity for a week,” read one such message.
Waterways push to the brink
As Helene dumped massive amounts of water across the region, rivers and streams began to swell to dangerous levels. The Saluda River in Anderson and Pickens counties crested but did not rise as high as initially feared. However, homes along the riverbank were still flooded, with emergency responders rescuing stranded residents. One 79-year-old woman from Shady Acre Circle, Ann Walling, recounted the strange feeling of watching water invade her yard, where it did not belong.
For all the devastation, there were small glimmers of hope. In Greenville, a local restaurant, Fork & Plough, set up a food station in its parking lot to serve the community, showcasing the spirit of solidarity and resilience that often emerges in times of crisis.
Looking ahead
As recovery efforts continue, local officials are stressing the importance of preparedness and caution in the days ahead. Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis warned residents about the spread of misinformation on social media, urging them to trust the work being done by first responders and utility crews.
“We’ve experienced an unprecedented call volume in this county,” said Tom Blackwell, executive director of Greenville County EMS, reflecting on the overwhelming impact of the storm on emergency services.
Hurricane Helene will be remembered as one of the worst natural disasters to hit the Carolinas in recent memory. The storm’s legacy is a harsh reminder of the unpredictable and devastating power of nature, but it is also a testament to the resilience of the communities determined to rebuild in its wake.
