At least 15 people have died in, Spartanburg, and Anderson counties since the storm tore through the region, many crushed by falling trees

Fallen trees are blamed for at least five of the deaths, including Christine Schmeiske of Anderson, who was trapped in her house under heavy debris

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) – Two dozen deaths have been reported as of Saturday due to Tropical Storm Helene’s impact to South Carolina. More than 667,000 customers are without power in the Upstate. There’s no word yet on when power will be restored to residents.

Authorities with the South Carolina Department of Public Safety say the number of fatalities as a result of Helene have risen to 22 people in the state, as of 4

Hurricane Helene punched the Midlands and South Carolina with high winds and heavy rain Friday, leaving 17 dead statewide, a mess of flooded streets, downed trees and millions of homes without power.

Duke Energy, electric co-ops work to restore power after Helene damages Greenville, Spartanburg and all of Upstate SC. Residents search for gas and groceries.

Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson and surrounding counties, according to the Greenville-Spartanburg NWS.

A vehicle trying to avoid a downed tree collided head-on with Bobby Jean Foster, 83, of Pelzer; fallen trees were factors in most of the fatalities