A couple in their 70s passed away after a tree collapsed on their South Carolina home during Hurricane Helene.
Couple’s Family Reveals What Happened
The family of Marcia and Jerry Savage, who are 74 and 78, respectively, spoke to the press about their passing. According to CBS News, the couple was fine one moment, and in the next, a tree flattened the ceiling of their bedroom.
“We heard one snap, and I remember going back there and checking on them,” their grandson John Savage said, adding that they were in bed. “They were both fine, the dog was fine.”
Then, John and his father heard a “boom” and quickly realized what had happened. One of the biggest trees on their Beech Island property had collapsed and taken the lives of Marcia and Jerry. John said that he was in “sheer panic” after seeing the fallen tree. In fact, the 22-year-old recalled that all he could see was” ceiling and tree.”
John also shared that his grandparents were embracing in bed when they were found. “When they pulled them out of there, my grandpa apparently heard the tree snap beforehand and rolled over to try and protect my grandmother,” John revealed.
Marcia and Jerry’s family reportedly believe it was “God’s plan” to transition the couple at the same time to prevent them from suffering alone.
More Details On The Aftermath Of Hurricane Helene
An Associated Press report from Oct. 1 states that the death toll from the hurricane has surpassed 100. Officials expect the toll will continue to rise beyond 166 in the coming days. Hurricane Helene is now one of the deadliest storms in U.S. history after tearing through at least six states in the Southeast region.
Like the late Marcia and Jerry, others have died from Hurricane Helene’s domino effect, from falling trees to trappings in flooded cars and homes.
The devastation was especially bad in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where at least 57 people died in and around Asheville, North Carolina. Asheville was known as a tourism haven for its art galleries, breweries, and outdoor activities.
“Communities were wiped off the map,” North Carolina’s governor, Roy Cooper, said at a news conference on Oct. 1.
Nearly half of the deaths were in North Carolina, while dozens of others were in South Carolina and Georgia. Exhausted emergency crews have been working around the clock to clear roads, restore power and phone service, and reach those still stranded by the storm.
RELATED: Hurricane Helene Reportedly Claims More Than 130 Lives As Cities Tussle With The Aftermath (PHOTOS)
Associated Press reporters Erik Verduzco, Jeff Amy, and Kimberlee Kruesi contributed to this report.
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