Flags flying at half-staff Friday to honor South Carolina hurricane victims

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) – The flag will fly at half-staff Friday to honor the more than 40 South Carolinians who died as a result of Hurricane Helene.

Governor Henry McMaster ordered that the flags above the State House be lowered from sunrise on Friday until sunset.

The order was in tribute to and as a mark of respect for the memories of the innocent lives lost because of last week’s storm and ongoing recovery efforts, according to McMaster’s office.

“Peggy and I ask that you join us in prayer for their families and loved ones,” Gov. McMaster said on social media.

Flags over state buildings and political subdivisions of the state are also asked to be lowered.

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety reported 41 lives lost as of Thursday afternoon. Many of those deaths were in the Upstate region where Helene caused the most destruction. That number could continue to rise as recovery efforts continue.