This tragic incident marks South Carolina’s first confirmed death linked to the recent winter storm. A 96-year-old woman with dementia was found unresponsive outside her Greenwood County home on Swing About around 12:50 a.m. Monday and succumbed to hypothermia.
Incident Details
County Coroner Sonny Cox ruled the death accidental, with hypothermia as the primary cause and dementia as a contributing factor. Her identity is being withheld pending family notification, though her age was verified by the South Carolina Department of Public Health. This occurred amid the cold snap detailed in the prior Savannah forecast, highlighting risks for vulnerable residents during freezing conditions.
Broader Context
The event ties to Winter Storm Fern, which brought ice, snow, and subzero wind chills across the region over the weekend. Nationally, similar weather has led to at least 34 storm-related deaths in 14 states, many from hypothermia or exposure. Local authorities urge checking on elderly neighbors, especially those with cognitive impairments.
Given your interest in South Carolina community safety, resources like warming centers remain active—stay vigilant through the week’s ongoing freezes.
