Palmetto State News

Governor Henry McMaster has requested a Presidential Disaster Declaration and a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster declaration for counties affected by Tropical Storm Debby, which made landfall in South Carolina on August 8, 2024. The requests follow damage assessments indicating over 900 homes were damaged and public agency costs and infrastructure damage exceeding $16 million.

The Presidential Disaster Declaration, if approved, would provide FEMA Individual Assistance Program aid to residents in Charleston, Colleton, and Dorchester counties. It also includes all categories of the FEMA Public Assistance Program for state and local government agencies and eligible non-profit organizations in Bamberg, Barnwell, Berkeley, Colleton, Dillon, Dorchester, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, Orangeburg, and Union counties.

The Individual Assistance Program would offer direct financial assistance to residents with uninsured property damages due to the storm. Additionally, FEMA Individual Assistance may address other needs on a case-by-case basis.

The Public Assistance Program reimburses applicants for extraordinary recovery costs from major disasters. FEMA covers 75 percent of this aid; the division of the remaining 25 percent will be determined later.

Governor McMaster's SBA Disaster Loan Program request includes Berkeley and Orangeburg counties. If approved, businesses and residents in these counties could apply for low-interest disaster loans.

This is an initial request for federal assistance through FEMA and the SBA. Additional counties may be added based on need if the request is approved.