Thousands in Upstate Still Without Power After Storms

**Friday 11:50am Update**

A cold front slowly drops into the Southeast today, then holds relatively stationary through the weekend. This will have little effect on our temperatures, but this will keep moisture focused over the area and keep the chances for scattered showers and thunderstorms in the forecast. There will continue to be a chance for some stronger storms in the mix as well, capable of producing strong winds and perhaps some hail. Otherwise, we’ll see a mix of clouds and sun during the days, with very warm and humid conditions continuing.

Clean-up continues in Greenville County. The city of Greenville reported nearly 500 911 calls within a two hour period during yesterdays storms. There are trees down and debris across the area. Thousand of duke energy customers still have no service in Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, and Pickens Counties. Blue Ridge Electric and Duke Energy crews are working to repair power poles.

Homeowners in Duncan have two huge trees down in their yard that took down powerlines. We saw yards filled with debris and another tree on a home in Spartanburg.

**Friday 9:30am Update**

There are still thousands of homes and businesses without power Friday morning after strong storms moved through the Carolinas.

Duke Energy reported nearly 6,800 outages in Greenville County at 9:30am. There are more than 700 in Pickens County, 258 in Anderson County and less than 200 in Spartanburg County.

The company estimates service will be restored in Greenville and the Spartanburg/Duncan area by 11:00pm Friday. Service for outages in Franklin, North Carolina should be complete by 5:00pm, while Cashiers should have repairs complete at noon Friday.

Salem is still recovering from the powerful storm that swept through the town Thursday. Blue Ridge Electric and Duke Energy is out in full force repairing snapped power line poles. The storm caused several roads to be closed. Most power was restored during the early morning hours however the cleanup is still in the process.

A Greenville woman is safe and amazingly not hurt after a tree crashed into her home. And her rescue is thanks to a friendly neighbor.

Strong winds blew the tree over on the home off Marsaille Court in Greenville just after 5 pm Thursday evening as strong storms pounded the area. And it's a place where neighbors usually take care of each other.

"I saw this big tree twisting and twisting," said Johnny Thompson. "The next thing I know it broke and I heard a loud pop, pop! The it started coming down."

The tree landed on the home of Thompson's neighbor's house and he sprung into action. Trapped inside the house was Tammy Smith, but thanks to Thompson she was not trapped for long.

"I don't know where I got the strength to move the limbs cause I couldn't get out," said Thompson. "When you get scared sometimes you do things you don't know you could do."

"I was relieved when I saw his face," Smith said. "All you do is look up to see the force this thing had. It snapped the tree and threw it more than 20 yards right into the guest bedroom."

The tree came into the same place where just minutes before where Smith had been standing.

"I'm blessed," Smith said. "He's (Thompson) a God send."

A for a neighbor who stepped in to help that was the biggest help.

"That was a big relief," Thompson said.

Allstate Insurance offers these tips to file a damage claim in the wake of a storm:

- Make sure your home is structurally safe. If your home has sustained serious structural damage, be extremely careful and be sure it is safe to be inside the home.

- Make reasonable temporary repairs to prevent further damage. Save the receipts for temporary home repairs as these expenses may be reimbursed as part of your homeowner's policy. Your adjuster will need this information.

- If your home is uninhabitable, review your policy to find out what additional living expenses your insurance policy may provide. Keep any receipts for expenses that may be reimbursed as part of your homeowners policy.

- Assist claims adjusters assigned to your case.

- Notify creditors if bills have been lost or you're unable to pay.

- Prepare to file an insurance claim by gathering all relevant Allstate policy numbers.

- Report possible claims promptly.

- Ask your utility company to stop service if your home is uninhabitable or has been destroyed.

- Inventory your home and list damaged items before your adjuster arrives. An inventory can help facilitate the claim process after a disaster.

- Work with a qualified tax expert to find out about tax breaks you may be eligible for because of your catastrophe losses.