This information was last updated at 10:33 PM on October 7, 2024. 

If you are a South Carolina resident and you have not already done so, please be sure to follow the South Carolina Emergency Management Division for information related to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

WEBSITE: SCEMD.org

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/SCEMD/

TWITTER: https://x.com/scemd?lang=en

• In life-threatening situations, please dial 9-1-1.
• For questions about the state’s Hurricane Helene response, call the South Carolina 24-hour Public Information Phone System at 866-246-0133.
• United Way’s 2-1-1 is a free hotline that provides information to individuals seeking community resources like shelter, food and water, recovery support, and other basic needs, before, during, and after disasters. The service is available in 180 languages 24/7 by simply dialing 2-1-1 or visiting sc211.org.
• Residents who are dependent on medical equipment at home and who are without power due to Helene may be eligible for a medical needs shelter. Call the state’s Department of Public Health Care Line at 1-855-472-3432 for more information.
• The official app of the South Carolina Emergency Management Division can be downloaded through the Apple App Store or Google Play here. It contains tools to build your own emergency plan, keep track of supplies and stay in touch with loved ones.
• SCEMD Emergency Shelters List
• SCEMD “Know Your Zone” to see your vulnerability to storm surge.
• South Carolina Emergency Management Division emergency alerts
• South Carolina Department of Transportation road closure updates
• Tweets by SCEMD
• Report Power Outages here.
• SC District & School Closings
• Road Conditions from SCDOT and 511
• Veterans Affairs Facilities Information (Updates on facility closures & other important information)
• American Red Cross (If you've been affected by Hurricane Helene and need help, please consider downloading the Red Cross Emergency App) 
• FEMA disaster assistance information for South Carolina
• Apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Constituents may call the application phone number at 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585).
• Even if your county is not currently on the list of approved counties to receive disaster assistance, it may still be added by FEMA at a later date if it has incurred widespread destruction. If you have sustained losses, you may apply for disaster assistance before your county is added to the list at this website: www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

Federal Resources

For information about FEMA’s disaster assistance sequence of delivery, click here.

Individual Assistance

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assists individuals and households through the coordination and delivery of Individual Assistance Programs. For more information, click here.

FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP) provides financial assistance and direct services to eligible individuals and households affected by a disaster who have uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs. For more information, click here.

Important information from SCEMD:

If constituents have homeowners, renters, or flood insurance, they should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance, but if the insurance does not cover all disaster-related expenses, federal assistance may still be available. Individual Assistance is not intended to cover all home repair expenses and has limits depending on the level of damage and insurance coverage available. 

Individuals can apply with FEMA the following ways:

• Apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
• Constituents may call the application phone number at 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585).

Public Assistance

FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) Program provides assistance to State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT) governments and certain types of private nonprofit (PNP) organizations. For more information, click here.

Normally, the federal government shares 75 percent in costs for clean-up after a major disaster. Considering the extent of the damage to our state, Senator Tim Scott and I supported South Carolina’s request to increase the federal government’s share to 100 percent for Public Assistance, and it was granted. Now, the federal government will cover certain recovery efforts like debris removal and other emergency protective measures for 90 days. To read the letter, click here. 

Background

On September 28, 2024, Governor Henry McMaster sent a letter to President Joe Biden requesting that the Biden Administration declare an expedited major disaster for a number of counties in the State of South Carolina due to Hurricane Helene. Additionally, Governor McMaster requested the release of federal funds to help people and communities recover from the hurricane.

On September 29, 2024, President Joe Biden granted a Major Disaster Declaration for a number of counties in the State of South Carolina and released federal funds. For more information and to see the list of counties included, click here.