Announcements
Sep 29 2024
Information on Hurricane Helene
This information was last updated at 10:44 a.m. on December 9, 2024.
In order to best serve South Carolinians who were impacted by Hurricane Helene, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) is joining Governor Henry McMaster and Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette in announcing a series of Team South Carolina Days. These will be one-stop-shops for South Carolinians who need access to federal, state and nonprofit resources as the state rebuilds after Hurricane Helene. Click here for more information.
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)
- In South Carolina, during a state of emergency, emergency prescription refills are allowed. Additionally, out-of-state pharmacists may dispense prescription medications in affected counties during the time a state of emergency exists.
- 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).
- Visit a Disaster Recovery Center at one of the following locations. Additional Disaster Recovery Centers will open soon in more affected areas. You can visit any open center to meet with representatives of FEMA, the state of South Carolina and the U.S. Small Business Administration. No appointment is needed:
Cherokee County
East Gaffney Baptist Church
2308 Cherokee Ave.
Gaffney, SC 29340
Open Oct. 17-20, 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Saluda County
County Administration Building
407 W. Butler Ave.
Saluda, SC 29138
Open Oct. 17-19, 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Laurens County
Laurens County Public Library
1017 W. Main St.
Laurens, SC 29360
Open Oct. 16-19 from 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Pickens County
Captain Kimberly Hampton Memorial Library
304 Biltmore Road
Easley, SC 29640
Open through Oct. 21, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Aiken County
Nancy Carson Library
135 Edgefield Road
North Augusta, SC 29841
Open Oct. 14-17 from 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Anderson County
Anderson County Library
300 N. McDuffie St.
Anderson, SC 29621
Open Oct. 20, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Oct. 21-24, 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 25-26, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Oct. 27, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Barnwell County
Barnwell Regional Airport
155 State Road S-6-398
Barnwell, SC 29812
Open Oct. 13–15 from 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Greenville County
Freetown Community Center
200 Alice Ave.
Greenville, SC 29611
Open daily from 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Lexington County
Batesburg-Leesville Fire Station
537 W. Church St.
Batesburg, SC 29006
Open Oct. 13–16 from 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Union County
Union County Library
300 E. South St.
Union, SC 29379
Open Oct. 20-22, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Aiken County
Aiken Technical College – Building B
2276 Jefferson Davis Highway
Graniteville, SC 29829
Open Oct. 21-24, 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Oct 25-26, 7:30 a.m.– 6 p.m.
Allendale County
James Brandt Building
398 Barnwell Highway
Allendale, SC 29810
Open Oct. 21-23, 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Greenwood County
United Way of the Lakelands
929 Phoenix St.
Greenwood, SC 29646
Open Oct. 21-30, 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Newberry County
Newberry County Sheriff’s Office
550 Wilson Road
Newberry, SC 29108
Open Oct. 21-24, 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Oconee County
Bountyland Education Campus
100 Vocational Drive
Seneca, SC 29672
Open Oct. 23-25, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Chester County
Chester County Government Office
1476 J A Cochran Bypass
Chester, SC 29706
Open Oct. 24-26, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Richland County
Richland County Main Library
1431 Assembly St.
Columbia, SC 29201
Open Oct. 24, 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Oct. 25–26, 8 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
Oct. 27, 12:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
Oct. 28–30, 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Spartanburg County
Spartanburg Emergency Management
175 Community College Drive
Spartanburg, SC 29303
Open Oct. 24-Nov. 6, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Hampton County
Hampton Town Fire Dept.
600 Second St. W
Hampton, SC 29924
Open Oct. 25-27, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Abbeville County
Abbeville County Library
1407 N. Main St.
Abbeville, SC 29620
Open Oct. 28-Nov. 2, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Fairfield County
Boykin Recreation Center
1851 U.S. Highway 321 Bypass N.
Winnsboro, SC 29180
Open Oct. 28-30, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Beaufort County
Burton Wells Recreation Center
1 Middleton Recreation Drive
Beaufort, SC 29906
Open Oct. 29-31, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.
McCormick County
McCormick County Library
201 Railroad Ave.
McCormick, SC 29835
Open Oct. 30 - Nov. 5, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.
York County
York County Library
138 E. Black St.
Rock Hill, SC 29730
Open Oct. 31, 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Nov 1-2, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Nov. 4-6, 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Closed on Nov. 3
Kershaw County
Kershaw County Government Center
515 Walnut St.
Camden, SC 29020
Open Nov. 1-10, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Laurens County
Laurens County Public Library
1017 W. Main St.
Laurens, SC 29360
Open Nov. 1-3, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Nov. 7-10, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; closed Nov. 4-6.
Orangeburg County
Orangeburg YMCA
2550 St. Matthews Road NE
Orangeburg, SC 29118
Open Nov. 1, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Nov. 2, 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Nov. 3, 1:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Barnwell County
Barnwell Regional Airport
155 State Road S-6-398
Barnwell, SC 29812
Open Nov. 4-7, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
The Disaster Recovery Centers in Anderson and Laurens counties will temporarily close for election polling at the sites.
Anderson County
Anderson County Library, 300 N. McDuffie St., Anderson, SC 29621
This center will close at 5 p.m., Nov. 3
Laurens County
Laurens County Public Library, 1017 W. Main St., Laurens, SC 29360
This center will close at 7 p.m., Nov. 3
Both centers will reopen on Nov. 7 and will return to their regular hours.
Bamberg County
Bamberg County Library
3156 E. Railroad Ave.
Bamberg, SC 29003
Open Nov. 5-11, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Saluda County
County Administration Building
407 W. Butler Ave.
Saluda, SC 29138
Open Nov. 7-10 and Nov. 12-13, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Nov. 11, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Union County
Union County Library
300 E. South St.
Union, SC 29379
Open Nov. 9-22, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Beaufort County
Burton Wells Recreation Center
1 Middleton Recreation Drive
Beaufort, SC 29906
Open Nov. 10-13, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Edgefield County
Edgefield Scout Hut Building
312 Penn St.
Edgefield, SC 29824
Open Nov. 10-18, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Lexington County
Batesburg-Leesville Fire Station
537 W. Church St.
Batesburg, SC 29006
Open Nov. 10-22, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Allendale County
James Brandt Building
398 Barnwell Highway
Allendale, SC 29810
Open Nov. 11-15 and Nov. 18-24, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.; closed Nov. 16-17
Orangeburg County
Orangeburg YMCA
2550 St. Matthews Road NE
Orangeburg, SC 29118
Open Nov. 13-26, Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 8:30 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Fairfield County
Boykin Recreation Center
1851 U.S. Highway 321 Bypass N.
Winnsboro, SC 29180
Open Nov. 13-14, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Nov. 15-16, closed
Nov. 17, 3 p.m.-6 p.m.
Nov. 18-21, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Nov. 22, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Nov. 23, closed
Nov. 24, 3 p.m.-6p.m.
Nov. 25-26, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
York County
York County Library
138 E. Black St.
Rock Hill, SC 29730
Open Nov. 13-14, 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Nov. 15-16, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Nov. 17, closed
Nov. 18-21, 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Nov. 22, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Greenwood County
Ninety Six Depot
99 Main St. W.
Ninety Six, SC 29666
Open Nov. 15-16, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Closed Sunday, Nov. 17
Open Nov. 18-23, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Closed Sunday, Nov. 24
Open Nov. 25-27, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Closed Nov. 28 for Thanksgiving holiday
Open Nov. 29-30, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Location: York County Library, 138 E. Black St., Rock Hill, SC 29730
Adjusted Operating Hours: Nov. 14, 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Nov. 15-16, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Nov. 17, closed
Nov. 18-19, 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Nov. 20, closed
Nov. 21, 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Nov. 22, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Pickens County
Captain Kimberly Hampton Memorial Library
304 Biltmore Road
Easley, SC 29640
Note:
Beginning Nov. 17, the Disaster Recovery Centers in Aiken, Allendale, Anderson, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, Lexington, Orangeburg, Spartanburg, Union and York counties in South Carolina will no longer be open on Sundays.
The Disaster Recovery Center in Pickens County will be open at 10 a.m., Nov. 17, and end operations at 6 p.m., Nov. 17.
Oconee County
Bountyland Education Campus
100 Vocational Drive
Seneca, SC 29672
Open Nov. 19-23, Nov. 25-27, Nov. 29-30: 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Closed Nov. 24, Nov. 28.
Jasper County
Hardeeville Recreation Center
285 John Smith Road
Hardeeville, SC 29927
Open Nov. 21, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Nov. 22-23, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Laurens County
Laurens County Public Library, 1017 W. Main St., Laurens, SC 29360
Open Nov. 21-23., Nov. 25-27, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Closed Nov. 24.
Lexington County
Batesburg-Leesville Fire Station, 537 W. Church St., Batesburg, SC 29006
Open Nov. 21-23., Nov. 25-27, Nov. 29-30, Dec. 2-6, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Closed Nov. 24, Nov. 28, and Dec. 1.
Aiken County
Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church
17519 Atomic Road
Aiken, SC 29803
Open from Nov. 26, 2024, through Jan. 7, 2025, Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Closed on Nov. 28 for Thanksgiving.
Hampton County
Bull Durham Center
380 Railroad Ave.
Estill, SC 29918
Open Nov. 26-27, Nov. 29-30, Dec. 2-5, Dec.7 and Dec. 9, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Closed Nov. 28, Dec. 1, Dec. 6, Dec. 8.
Chester County
Gateway Conference Center
3200 Commerce Drive, Suite A
Richburg, SC 29729
Open Dec. 9-13, 16-20, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Closed Saturday and Sunday
Lexington County
Batesburg-Leesville Fire Station, 537 W. Church St., Batesburg, SC 29006
Open Dec. 6-7, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Spartanburg County
Spartanburg Emergency Management, 175 Community College Drive, Spartanburg, SC 29303
Open Dec. 6-7, Dec. 9-13, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.,
Closed Dec. 8.
Union County
Union County Library, 300 E. South St., Union, SC 29379
Open Dec. 6-7, Dec. 9, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Closed Dec. 8.
The Disaster Recovery Center in Hampton County will close Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. It is located at:
Bull Durham Center, 380 Railroad Ave., Estill, SC 29918
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.
