News Summary
Tropical Storm Helene battered Beaufort County with fierce winds and heavy rainfall, leading to extensive damage and widespread power outages. Thousands of residents were left without electricity as utility crews worked tirelessly to restore services. The storm’s impact included downed trees, structural damage, and disrupted roadways. Emergency services received numerous calls for assistance, highlighting the storm’s severity. Assessments are ongoing, with officials urging residents to remain cautious as cleanup efforts continue.
Beaufort, South Carolina – Tropical Storm Helene struck Beaufort County early Friday morning, resulting in widespread damage across the region. The storm unleashed strong winds and caused significant disruptions, leaving thousands of residents without electricity and creating perilous conditions on roadways.
Governor Henry McMaster indicated that the storm may have caused more power outages than any other weather event in recent history. At its peak, as many as 37,000 customers were reported to be without power in Beaufort County. Utility crews have been mobilizing to restore electricity, although challenges remain due to fallen trees and debris blocking access to damaged areas.
Beaufort County recorded wind gusts reaching up to 75 mph, and the National Weather Service issued a total of 63 tornado warnings across South Carolina. Ongoing assessments are being conducted to confirm the occurrences of actual tornadoes throughout the state. Initial reports from the National Weather Service Charleston Office documented nine preliminary storm damage reports, including possible tornado sightings.
Emergency services have been inundated with requests for assistance, with the Bluffton Township Fire District describing the storm damage as exceptionally extensive. Emergency personnel across Beaufort County responded to over 130 calls related to storm damage within a single day, surpassing their response volume during Hurricane Matthew. The Lady’s Island-St. Helena Fire District noted abundant instances of downed trees obstructing roadways, compounding transportation issues.
Many of the hardest-hit areas experienced significant structural damage. In Port Royal, boats were washed ashore, and sections of the boardwalk were destroyed. Highway crews worked diligently to clear debris and ensure roadways were safe for travel, but certain routes, such as May River Road between Buckwalter Parkway and Old Miller Road, faced extended closures due to downed power lines and trees.
Emergency Response and Safety Measures
The Hilton Head Island Fire Department reported 35 incidents of downed trees between midnight and 9 a.m. Friday, some of which damaged buildings. On Hilton Head Island, beach patrol authorities issued a red flag warning in anticipation of high rip current risks created by the storm. Meanwhile, crews secured rental chairs to posts as a precaution against severe weather conditions.
The Burton Fire District also noted they had responded to over 50 emergency calls related to Helene, including dangerous situations involving collapsing trees. Additionally, reports indicated that a woman was trapped in her vehicle under a fallen tree and required rescue.
Power outages contributed to traffic disruptions, with traffic lights out in several areas, necessitating police assistance for traffic management. Local officials are urging residents to exercise caution while traveling, given the extensive damage reported throughout the community.
Damage Reports Across the Area
Reports detailed various incidents of storm-related damage throughout Beaufort County. Daufuskie Island experienced multiple downed trees and minor roof damage that may have been associated with tornado activity. Other areas reported snapped trees and property damage, further underscoring the storm’s impact.
In addition to the human and infrastructure toll, Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport recorded a sustained wind speed of 51 mph, with gusts matching the highest speeds recorded within the county. Damage assessments are ongoing, and local officials have stated that the extent of the damage is greater than initially anticipated.
As the storm’s aftermath is evaluated, crews continue to work on restoration efforts, focusing on clearing roads, restoring power, and ensuring the safety of residents. A tropical storm warning remains in effect for the region until 1:15 p.m. on Friday, and residents are encouraged to remain vigilant.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Beaufort River Sees Successful Removal of Beached Sailboats
Beaufort Sailboat Declared Public Hazard After Sinking
Beaufort Residents Struggle with Abandoned Sailboats Post-Tropical Storm
Severe Thunderstorm Alert in Lowcountry, SC
Florida Braces for Hurricane Milton: Impact Expected
Severe Thunderstorms to Affect Hilton Head This Sunday
Charleston Prepares for Tropical Storm Helene
Additional Resources
- AOL: Hurricane Helene Damages Port Royal
- Wikipedia: Tropical Storm Helene
- Bluffton Today: Severe Storms Sweep Through Jasper and Beaufort
- Google Search: Beaufort County storm damage
- Island Packet: Storm Damage Reports
- Google Scholar: Hurricane Helene damage
- WTOC: Storm Damage Reports Beaufort County
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hurricane Helene
- Island Packet: Weather News
- Google News: Tropical Storm Debby
- Post and Courier: Weather Hurricane Helene Beaufort
Author: STAFF HERE HILTON HEAD
The HILTON HEAD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHiltonHead.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Hilton Head Island, Beaufort County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the RBC Heritage golf tournament, Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival, and the Gullah Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, plus leading businesses in tourism and hospitality that power the local economy such as Sea Pines Resort and Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
