Emergency Preparedness & Recovery

Hurricane Helene Recovery Information and Resources

S.C. Housing Trust Fund's Disaster Assistance Program (Updated Oct. 25, 2024)

The S.C. Housing Trust Fund announced the Disaster Assistance Program (DAP), a  block grant program created to address housing recovery needs resulting from recent natural disasters in South Carolina.   DAP will be available to local governments--including counties, cities and councils of governments) providing up to $30,000 per home for disaster related repairs.  Eligible homeowners must be at 80% area median income or below.   

An abbreviated grant application will be available by Oct. 31, with applications to be submitted by December 16, 2024.   In preparation, those interested in applying should initiate an assessment  process to determine immediate need and advise SC Housing of interest in the program.

More information will be forthcoming.  However, if you have any questions, please contact Jack Suber, Manager, S.C. Housing Trust Fund at (803) 896.0808 or jack.suber@schousing.com.

More on how counties can participate in the SC Housing Trust Fund.

Counties Eligible for FEMA Assistance (Updated Oct. 16, 2024)

SC Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) has announced homeowners and renters with uninsured damage or losses caused by Hurricane Helene in multiple counties are eligible to apply for FEMA disaster assistance. The full announcements are available on the SCEMD website.

Eligible counties:

  • Abbeville
  • Aiken
  • Allendale
  • Anderson
  • Bamberg
  • Barnwell
  • Beaufort
  • Cherokee
  • Chester
  • Edgefield
  • Fairfield
  • Greenville
  • Greenwood
  • Hampton
  • Jasper
  • Kershaw
  • Laurens
  • Lexington
  • McCormick
  • Newberry
  • Oconee
  • Orangeburg
  • Pickens
  • Richland
  • Saluda
  • Spartanburg
  • Union
  • York

Governor's Office Announces TeamSC County Days (updated Oct. 21, 2024)

Team South Carolina County Days provide local residents affected by Hurricane Helene with a one-stop opportunity to learn about relief resources available to them. An additional TeamSC County Day has been announced for Abbeville, Greenwood and McCormick Counties.
 

Additional Team South Carolina Days may be scheduled at a later date in other impacted counties. For more information, including meeting locations and times, visit the governor's website.

Private Property Debris Removal (updated Oct. 9, 2024)

FEMA has issued interim guidance no longer requiring pre-approval of Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) and that change will be reflected in Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide v5.

Please see FEMA’s latest Fact Sheet on PPDR (PDF, 139.42 KB) that outlines the conditions for reimbursement. Note the following items as conditions of reimbursement:

  • Notification to FEMA: The applicant must notify FEMA when PPDR is taking place and specify the type of property involved, such as privately-owned residential or commercial property. This ensures FEMA can coordinate with relevant components and federal partners.
  • Property Documentation: A list of the properties, including fully executed right of entry documentation regarding where PPDR activities occurred, must be retained, and provided to FEMA upon request.
  • Legal Authority and Public Interest: The applicant must demonstrate they have the legal authority and responsibility to carry out PPDR, comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, and contracts, indemnify the U.S. government against any claims arising from debris removal, and confirm that the work is in the public interest.
  • Evaluation of Threat:  When FEMA evaluates requests for PPDR funding, they will consider the extent and magnitude of debris on private or commercial properties, specifically whether it poses a significant threat to public health, safety, or property. FEMA may also assess factors such as the social vulnerability of the affected area, the percentage of homes destroyed, community density, watershed exposure, and the cost associated with hazardous debris removal. 

Extension for Collection of Property Taxes (updated Oct. 2, 2024)

See memo from the South Carolina Department of Revenue (PDF, 22.28 KB) to all county officials granting an extension until Oct. 31, 2024, for property taxes that were due by Sept. 30, 2024 for any county in South Carolina that may need to exercise this option.

Disaster Declaration in South Carolina (updated Sept. 30, 2024)

Gov. Henry McMaster’s Sept. 28 request for Expedited Major Presidential Disaster Declaration to provide federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in response to Hurricane Helene was approved Sept. 30.

Individual Assistance

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved Individual Assistance program aid to Aiken, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Lexington, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Saluda and Spartanburg counties. This program provides direct financial assistance to residents who incurred uninsured damages to their property as a result of the storm.

Additional counties are likely to be added as damage assessments are completed.

More information

Public Assistance

FEMA also approved Public Assistance for Aiken, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Saluda and Spartanburg counties for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance. 

Under the Public Assistance program, state and affected local governments are eligible to apply for federal funding to pay 75 percent of the approved costs under certain categories. The division of the remaining 25 percent will be determined later.

See FEMA's Hurricane Helene Disaster Assistance page for South Carolina (updated Oct. 1, 2024).

County Disaster/Emergency Ordinances: Relevant State Laws

4-9-130: To meet public emergencies affecting life, health, safety or the property of the people, council may adopt emergency ordinances; but such ordinances shall not levy taxes, grant, renew or extend a franchise or impose or change a service rate. Every emergency ordinance shall be designated as such and shall contain a declaration that an emergency exists and describe the emergency.

Every emergency ordinance shall be enacted by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the members of council present. An emergency ordinance is effective immediately upon its enactment without regard to any reading, public hearing, publication requirements or public notice requirements. Emergency ordinances shall expire automatically as of the sixty-first day following the date of enactment.

Note: the three reading requirements for ordinances found in 4-9-120 specifically does not apply to emergency ordinances. The 24-hour notice requirement in FOIA Section 30-4-80(A) does not apply to emergency meetings of public bodies.

Information from SC Counties Property & Liability Trust

SCCP&LT Disaster Response Guidelines (PDF, 109.04 KB)

Make any temporary repairs necessary to prevent any further damage, including removing trees from damaged property. If water damage mitigation is necessary, try to get those vendors on-site as soon as possible. If possible, take photos of damage prior to temporary repairs or tree removal. Otherwise, report the claims as you normally would by sending the reporting forms to p&lclaims@scac.sc. We'll assign appraisers as necessary to inspect the damages and prepare repair estimates.

If we can be of any assistance in your claims or recovery efforts, please contact us.

Resources from State Agencies

South Carolina Emergency Management Division

Storm Resources for Travel from SCDOT
S.C Emergency Management Division Information and Resources regarding Hurricanes

Storm Resources for Travel from SCDOT

South Carolina Department of Public Health

Resources from National Partners

FEMA Disaster Recovery Center Locator

FEMA’s Hurricane Helene page

National Association of Counties Resources on Intergovernmental Roles and Responsibilities in Disaster Resilience