Governor urges patience as recovery efforts continue across SC from Helene

WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC/AP) – Gov. Henry McMaster said utility companies are making significant progress to restore power in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

As of Monday afternoon, he said more than 745,000 were without power statewide, but that figure was down from the peak of 1.3 million reported out on Friday.

Representatives from multiple utility companies said their crews are working to restore power, but noted that for some areas, that process could take up to a week or more.

“We have a lot of work. I’d ask you, just ask everyone, just to be patient and realize that this great team we have is working to get things back humming,” McMaster said. “And do keep your neighbors and friends in your prayers.”

The South Carolina Department of Transportation says some 480 roads remained closed but that crews were working to clear them as quickly and safely as possible.

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Federal disaster declaration approved for SC

McMaster announced earlier on Monday that his request for an Expedited Major Presidential Disaster Declaration was approved. That declaration will provide federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved individual assistance program help to Aiken, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Lexington, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Saluda, and Spartanburg Counties. This program provides direct financial assistance to residents who incurred uninsured damages to their property as a result of the storm. Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621- 3362 or by using the FEMA App. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service, captioned telephone service, or others, give FEMA the number for that service.

Click here for more information about the program.

FEMA also approved Public Assistance for Aiken, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Saluda and Spartanburg Counties for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance. Under the Public Assistance program, state and affected local governments are eligible to apply for federal funding to pay 75 percent of the approved costs under certain categories. The division of the remaining 25 percent will be determined later.

Click here form more infomation about this program.

The initial list of counties approved for assistance is not final, and additional counties are likely to be added as further damage assessments are completed.

Power restoration still underway across Update, Midlands

As of Monday morning, more than 760,000 electric customers were still without power. The hardest hit portion of the state was western South Carolina and the Upstate. Greenwood County had 99% of electric customers offline while Spartanburg County showed 95% without power.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster and his “Team South Carolina” urged people to be patient as crews work to restore power across the state after Helene.

SC death toll in Helene rises

As of Monday morning, state officials said there had been 29 weather-related deaths confirmed.

Greenville and Spartanburg Counties both reported six fatalities each. Aiken County listed five.

Anderson County had four deaths related to Helene and Saluda County reported three. Two of the deaths in Saluda County involved firefighters, McMaster said on Friday.

Newberry County reported two deaths and Chesterfield, Greenwood and York Counties each reported a single death attributed to Helene.

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