The storm is to blame for deaths in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Over half of those killed were in vehicles

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

A ninth person has died in South Carolina because of Hurricane Florence, bringing the total death toll for the massive storm and its subsequent record-shattering flooding to 42 people.

The South Carolina state public safety department said in a Twitter message on Thursday evening that the body of an 81-year-old man was found in a pickup truck submerged in water in Dillon county.

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Cpl Sonny Collins of the highway patrol said the pickup ran off state highway 57, crashed and ended up in the water. The coroner, Donnie Grimsley, said on Friday morning that he was still working to contact the victim’s family before he releases the name.

Florence is blamed for at least 42 deaths in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Well over half of those killed were in vehicles.

In North Carolina, many people have started returning to flooded homes as the rivers receded. They were met by silty mud on walls and floors, blown out windows and terrible odors.

South Carolina’s governor, Henry McMaster, estimated his state has already suffered $1.2bn in damage. He asked Congress for help.

Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina said the state was still tallying its storm damage, but said it would be in the billions.