Palmetto State News

Governor Henry McMaster announced that South Carolina's request for an Expedited Major Presidential Disaster Declaration, submitted on September 28, has been approved. This declaration aims to provide federal aid to support state and local recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. The initial list of counties approved for assistance is not final, with additional counties expected to be added as further damage assessments are completed.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved the Individual Assistance program for Aiken, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Lexington, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Saluda, and Spartanburg counties. This program offers direct financial assistance to residents who experienced uninsured property damages due to the storm. Individuals and business owners in the designated areas can apply for assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362. Those using relay services should provide FEMA with their service number.

FEMA also approved Public Assistance for Aiken, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Saluda and Spartanburg counties. This program covers debris removal and emergency protective measures including direct federal assistance. Under this program state and affected local governments can apply for federal funding covering 75 percent of approved costs under certain categories. The division of the remaining 25 percent will be determined later.

Additionally the declaration includes Hazard Mitigation Grant program assistance which provides cost-shared funding for projects aimed at reducing future disaster risks. Funds from this program will be available only to state agencies local governments and certain non-profit organizations.

An expedited declaration request is available when the scale and severity of damage are evident even before complete damage assessments have been conducted. Counties selected for expedited assistance were identified by emergency management officials based on immediate communication with local officials resource requests fatalities and power outages.

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