UPDATED: 6:20 AM ET:

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has requested an Expedited Major Presidential Disaster Declaration to assist state and local response efforts to Hurricane Helene.

The Presidential Disaster Declaration, if approved, would provide Federal Emergency Management Agency Individual Assistance Program help to residents impacted by the storm in Aiken, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Cherokee, Chesterfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Lexington, Oconee, Newberry, Pickens, Saluda and Spartanburg counties.

The Public Assistance Program reimburses applicants for the unexpected, extraordinary costs of recovering from a major disaster. The Federal Emergency Management Agency pays 75% of this aid, and the division of the remaining 25% will be determined at a later date.

The governor's request also includes FEMA Hazard Mitigation Program grants to help lessen the impact of future disasters.

The City of Greenville posted an update on Saturday night:

ACTIVE DOWNED POWERLINES That is biggest impediment for cleanup and the greatest safety hazard for citizens. We have the manpower for tree clearing and cutting. We need utility assistance before we can make that happen. An assessment of neighborhoods and major roadways by the Mayor, City Manager and Fire Chief shows there is much work to be done in our neighborhoods. Public Works crews are on 12 hour shifts clearing everything that is safe to clear. We appreciate your patience as we work with state and federal officials to bring in as many resources as possible to help during this disaster.

A third of all Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative members now have power as crews continue restoration work through historic damage. Engineers continue to reiterate that this remains a multi-day recovery. They also believe the positive momentum generated today will carry into Sunday and that outages will continue to decrease. Another 26 line personnel from Tennessee are arriving Sunday. Outside crews from Alabama, Michigan, Ohio and Virginia are already on the ground. Officials say this was the worst storm in the area in over 20 years.

Hendersonville County issued a "state of emergency." Officials were urging residents to stay off the roads to allow emergency and power crews to do their job.

A mandatory curfew is underway in Hendersonville County. It will be in effect from 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. daily until conditions improve.

Deaths are being confirmed in Asheville, North Carolina from the severe flooding that has hit the region. Over 400 roads and several major highways were shut down in North Carolina because of flood damage.

SATURDAY UPDATES:

UPDATED: 7:25 PM ET:

Hurricane Helene has now claimed over 50 lives across several states. In South Carolina there have been at least 19 fatalities, including two firefighters. In Georgia, 17 people have died, with two killed in a tornado in Alamo. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed 11 deaths in his state, including several drownings in Pinellas County. There have been at least six storm-related deaths in North Carolina, including a car accident that took the life of a four-year-old girl, and in Craig County, Virginia, one person died due to a tree fall and building collapse.

The Red Cross says it has deployed more than 500 trained disaster workers to provide aid to those affected in the Southeast by Hurricane Helene, with hundreds more on their way. The Red Cross is working with local authorities to assess damage, provide meals, and distribute relief supplies. In addition, they are operating shelters and providing health services and emotional support throughout the region. If you need assistance finding a missing loved one call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). You can find a list of shelters by visiting www.redcross.org or downloading the Red Cross Emergency app.

------

UPDATED: 6:55 PM ET:

Floodwaters from the remnants of Hurricane Helene have isolated Asheville, North Carolina with damaged roads and widespread power and cellphone outages. This devastation is part of a broader path of destruction across southern Appalachia, resulting in an unknown number of fatalities and many anxious friends and relatives who have been unable to contact their loved ones.

Damage is also widespread in Greenville, South Carolina. City officials say power and signal outages along with downed trees are among the issues facing the community following Tropical Storm Helene. Officials announced this evening they are waiting on utility crews to ground lines so city crews can cut trees. Their main focus will be on making sure roadways are passable. Debris is being pushed to the side to be picked up later.

------

UPDATED: 4:30 PM ET:

Duke Energy says workers continue to encounter major challenges accessing areas across the North Carolina mountains and Upstate of South Carolina, limiting the company’s ability to assess damage and provide customers with estimates for when power is likely to be restored. Duke Energy is working with local and state officials to gain access to the hardest-hit areas where roads are obstructed. The company is also supplementing its damage assessment efforts with helicopters and drones and will publish estimated power restoration times as soon as possible.

“Historic flooding, debris and road closures remain an incredible challenge to assessing the severe damage to our system and restoring power in the North Carolina mountains and South Carolina Upstate,” said Jason Hollifield, Duke Energy storm director for the Carolinas. “Our crews appreciate our customers’ patience and support as they continue working around the clock to safely and quickly restore power.”

As of 1 p.m. on Saturday, Duke Energy has restored power to 723,000 Carolinas customers impacted by Helene. This includes more than 544,000 customers in North Carolina and 178,000 in South Carolina.

Approximately 1.1 million customers – 539,000 in North Carolina and 597,000 in South Carolina – remain without power. The vast majority of these outages are in the western portions of each state.

The company serves more than 4.5 million customers in the Carolinas, including 3.7 million in North Carolina and 835,500 in South Carolina.

Duke Energy lineworkers, tree trimmers and other storm support workers started assessing damage and restoring power before Helene even exited the Carolinas on Friday afternoon. Workers will continue to assess damage – with the help of helicopters and drones in the hardest-hit areas – and restore power until every customer who can safely receive power is back on line.

Information on estimated restoration times is continually updated on Duke Energy’s Outage Maps tool.

---

Previous Updates:

The Southeastern United States is reeling from the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene, which has left at least 55 people dead across five states. The historic storm, which made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, has caused widespread destruction, power outages, and left many stranded in floodwaters. Greenville, South Carolina, is among the hardest hit.

In Greenville, residents are being urged to conserve water after flooding along the Nolichucky River washed out all of the Chuckey Utility District’s water lines. Repairs are expected to take place as soon as conditions are safe.

The storm has also disrupted communication networks, leaving many without cell service or internet. This has made it difficult for residents to connect with loved ones and for emergency services to reach those in need.

The City of Greenville posted an update on Saturday (September 28) morning:

"All parks remain closed. Power outages are widespread. We know you are stir crazy and want to get outdoors on a nice day, but conditions are NOT SAFE. Our crews are working as quickly as they can, but when people are in parks we can not run equipment to clear them. Parks and Public Works crews began work at 6am and will be out until dark. Be kind to them and give them thanks.

🚦 TRAFFIC LIGHTS. Many are out. Treat them like a four-way stop. Be patient with other drivers or stay home. Firefighters are now responding to wrecks as a result of failure to follow traffic laws.

⚠️ We know trees are down and are blocking roadways, but many are entangled in power lines. Those power lines could be live. Use caution even when walking in your neighborhood. Contact with those lines could electrocute you.

City crews are in contact with Duke Energy to coordinate efforts to remove trees and restore power as quickly as possible. Check on your neighbors.

Despite the challenges, rescue missions are underway. Nearly 4,000 National Guardsmen are conducting rescue efforts in 21 counties across Florida, and guardsmen have also been activated in North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama.

According to the National Weather Service, the threat of flooding continues in the southern Appalachian region, with additional rainfall expected over the weekend. Over 400 roads remain closed in western North Carolina, making rescue and recovery efforts challenging.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has deployed over 800 staff to support states affected by the hurricane. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell is currently in Florida, assessing the damage and the need for federal resources.

As the region begins the long process of recovery, residents are urged to stay safe and heed the advice of local officials. The full extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Helene is still being assessed, but it is clear that the storm has left a significant impact on the Southeastern United States.

Luis Treviño