A 6th death reported in Greenville, thousands still without power in Helene SC aftermath

A sixth Greenville County resident has died as a result of Tropical Storm Helene, the Greenville County Coroner’s Office reported.

James Walker Parrish, 47, died at Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital Sunday, where he was taken after his motorcycle collided with a car Friday.

Deputy Coroner Shelton England said Parrish swerved to avoid a fallen tree. The cause of death was pending Monday morning.

Schools, government offices and some stores remained closed.

Duke Energy reported Sunday power has been restored to some 15,000 customers in Greenville County, but hundreds of thousands remain in the dark.

Many took to social media to criticize the company, especially when the company announced it would be Friday before power would be restored in most places. The company said in some areas in its North and South Carolina coverage it would be longer because some lines needed to be rebuilt.

“Seems like a problem their (sic) reacting to the storm instead of being prepared,” one said on Instagram.

About 2,000 repairmen from around the country came into Greenville County to help restore power.

Jason Hollifield, storm director for Duke Energy in the Carolinas, said the company began monitoring the storm when it was identified and prepared well in advance for its impact.

“We have over 11,000 storm workers who are committed to doing everything possible to restore service as quickly and safely as possible,” he said. “We’re also bringing in thousands of additional resources to help with power restorations in the hardest hit areas.”

Twenty Greenville Parks & Grounds cleaned up roadways, parking lots and trails, allowing Falls Park downtown to reopen. All other parks remain closed, the city said.

A shelter was opened at Hillcrest High School in Simpsonville for the general population and a medical needs shelter is open at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

In neighborhoods around Greenville County, residents worked together to cut up fallen trees and get them out of roadways. Several people with power offered their homes for charging phones, showers and rest. One man said his wife was making soup and everyone was welcome.

“Just bring a bowl,” he said.

Another said he was grilling thawing food and invited anyone who wanted to come.

Walmart on Woodruff Road in Greenville County offered showers and a place to wash clothes and distributed water in partnership with Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, WYFF reported.

Walmart, Sam’s Club and the Walmart Foundation are committing an initial $6 million for hurricane relief efforts, including donations of food, water, essential supplies and grants to organizations providing relief, the company said on its website.

Walmart also announced it would match customers’ donations to the American Red Cross up to $2.5 million.

Crisis Cleanup was offering free assistance by volunteers to cleaning up trees, tarp roofs and clean debris, Greenville County Emergency Management said. The number is 844-965-1386.

In all, 11.53 inches of rain fell in Greenville during the storm and the Reedy River near Falls Park and Unity Park peaked at 16.19 feet, compared to its normal just over 1 foot.

Greenville’s primary concern was downed trees with some people reporting a dozen or more trees down in their yard, some on houses, some barely missed.

Falling trees were responsible for four other deaths. Learnda Palmer, 56, and Charles Dean III, 59, died of traumatic asphyxiation when trees fell on their homes.

Moreno Maddox, 68, and Aaron Lance, 40, were struck by a falling tree while outside their homes. They each died of a head injury.

Ceresa Butler, 54, died in a fire believed to be storm related.