South Carolina Hurricane Helene

DR-4829-SC
South Carolina

Incident Period: Sep 25, 2024 - Oct 7, 2024

Declaration Date: Sep 29, 2024

Help for Individuals and Families After a Disaster

alert - warning

If you have insurance, you should file a claim with your insurance company immediately. FEMA assistance cannot help with losses already covered by insurance. Learn more about the steps after applying for assistance.

Apply for Disaster Assistance

The fastest way to apply is through DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also apply through the FEMA mobile app or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use a video relay service, captioned telephone service, or other communication services, please provide FEMA the specific number assigned for that service.

Get Immediate Help

Find help with needs that FEMA is not authorized to provide. Check with your local emergency management officials. The FEMA Helpline (800-621-3362) may be able to provide additional referrals. If you use a video relay service, captioned telephone service, or other communication services, please provide FEMA the specific number assigned for that service.

I Applied for Assistance. What's Next?

After applying for assistance, your request is reviewed to determine if an inspection is needed to verify disaster-related damage to your home and personal property. FEMA staff and inspectors may contact you to discuss your disaster-caused damage.

FEMA may also request more information to support your eligibility for assistance or information related to your specific disaster-related needs identified in your application. If this is needed, you will receive a letter from FEMA outlining the information needed.

Learn more about what to expect

Transitional Sheltering

FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance has been activated for survivors allowing for short-term, emergency sheltering options in participating hotels.

In order to receive sheltering assistance, start by applying for assistance. You must have a FEMA registration ID and approval from FEMA to participate. If FEMA has reached out to you about sheltering assistance, you can look up participating hotels.

Review FEMA’s Decision

Once FEMA has reviewed your application, the results of the inspection and/or documentation submitted, you will get a letter explaining:

  • whether you are approved for assistance
  • how much assistance you will receive
  • how the assistance must be used
  • how to appeal FEMA’s decision if you do not agree with it

The letter will be sent to you by email or mail based on what you selected when you completed your application.

Frequently Asked Questions and Rumors

Get answers to frequently asked questions about emergency shelters, disaster assistance, flood insurance and more. Learn more about common disaster-related rumors and the facts you need to jumpstart your recovery. Find information on identifying disaster fraud and how to report it.

Find a Housing Counselor

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides support to a nationwide network of housing counseling agencies (HCAs) and certified counselors. HUD-participating HCAs are approved and trained to provide tools to current and prospective homeowners and renters so they can make responsible choices to address their housing needs considering their financial situations.

Multilingual Resources

You can find social media graphics with important safety messaging in various languages, including English, Chinese, Spanish and Vietnamese.

We also have videos in American Sign Language (ASL) on topics including:

Local Resources Custom Text

FEMA responding to Hurricane Helene

Caption: Allendale, S.C. (October 17th, 2024) - FEMA participates in Team South Carolina Day where they assisted people affected by Hurricane Helene.
Allendale, S.C. (October 17th, 2024) - FEMA participates in Team South Carolina Day where they assisted people affected by Hurricane Helene.

Emerald Multimedia Collection 

DVIDS Multimedia Collection 
 

Recent Hurricane Rumors

Misinformation and rumors can spread quickly after a disaster. Help keep yourself, your family and your community safe by being aware of rumors and scams and sharing official information from trusted sources.

Learn more: Hurricane Rumor Response

Mental Health Resources for Disaster Survivors

Use these resources from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):

988 Crisis Lifeline

Sometimes help can’t wait. If you or someone you know is in danger or having a medical emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available.  Access the 988 Crisis Lifeline by dialing/texting 988 or chatting at 988lifeline.org. You will speak with a crisis counselor any time of day or night.

Disaster Distress Hotline

The helpline is open to anyone experiencing emotional distress related to disasters. This includes survivors of disasters; loved ones of victims; first responders; rescue, recovery, and relief workers; clergy; and parents and caregivers. You may call for yourself or on behalf of someone else.

You can call the toll-free, multilingual Disaster Distress Helpline for confidential counseling, referrals and other support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call or text 1-800-985-5990. Spanish speakers should press “2”. Deaf and hard of hearing ASL callers can connect directly to an American Sign Language agent, through ASL Now or by calling 1-800-985-5990 from your videophone.

How to Help

Volunteer and Donate

Recovery can take many years after a disaster. There are many ways to help such as donating cash, needed items or your time. Learn more about how to help those in need.

Don’t self-deploy to disaster areas. Trusted organizations in the affected areas know where volunteers are needed. Work with an established organization to make sure you have the appropriate safety, training and skills needed to respond.

FEMA Voluntary Agency Liaisons (VALs) build relationships and coordinate efforts with voluntary, faith-based and community organizations active in disasters.

Doing Business with FEMA

If you are interested in providing paid services and goods for disaster relief, visit our Doing Business with FEMA page to get started.

If you own a business involved with debris removal and want to work on clean-up efforts in affected areas, please contact the local government in affected areas to offer your services.

Funding Obligations

Individual Assistance Amount
Total Housing Assistance (HA) - Dollars Approved $20,012,584.47
Total Other Needs Assistance (ONA) - Dollars Approved $188,547,621.26
Total Individual & Households Program Dollars Approved $208,560,205.73
Individual Assistance Applications Approved 207866

Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) List

Disaster Recovery Centers provide disaster survivors with information from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Disaster survivors can get help applying for federal assistance, learn about the types of assistance available, learn about the appeals process and get updates on applications.

Bamberg County Library

Address

3156 East Railroad Avenue
Bamberg, South Carolina 29003
Bamberg
Get Directions

DRC Hours

Monday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Notes

This Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) 30 will end operations and close on Nov. 11, 2024 at 7:00 pm.

Barnwell Regional Airport

Address

155 State Rd S-6-398
Barnwell, South Carolina 29812
Barnwell
Get Directions

DRC Hours

Monday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday:Closed
Saturday:Closed
Sunday:Closed

Notes

This Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) 29 will end operations and close at 7:00 pm on Nov. 7, 2024

KERSHAW COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER

Address

515 Walnut St
Camden, South Carolina 29020
Kershaw
Get Directions

DRC Hours

Monday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Notes

THIS DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER WILL CLOSE ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2024.

LAURENS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

Address

1017 W Main St
Laurens, South Carolina 29360
Laurens
Get Directions

DRC Hours

Monday:Closed
Tuesday:Closed
Wednesday:Closed
Thursday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Notes

THIS DISASTER RECOVER CENTER (DRC) WILL TEMPORARILY CLOSE MON - WED, 11/4 - 11/6/24 AND RE-OPEN ON THURS, 11/7 -NORMAL HOURS OF OPERATIONS.

THIS DRC WILL END OPERATIONS AND CLOSE ON SUNDAY, NOV. 10, 2024, AT 7:00 PM.

YORK COUNTY LIBRARY

Address

138 E Black St
Rock Hill, South Carolina 29730
York
Get Directions

DRC Hours

Monday:9:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday:9:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday:9:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday:9:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday:9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday:9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday:Closed

Notes

This Disaster Recovery Center will close at 7 p.m. on November 6, 2024.

McCormick County Library

Address

201 Railroad Ave
Mc Cormick, South Carolina 29835
Mccormick
Get Directions

DRC Hours

Monday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Notes

This Disaster Recovery Center is scheduled to close at 7 pm on Tuesday November 5, 2024.

Spartanburg Emergency Management

Address

175 Community College Dr
Spartanburg, South Carolina 29303
Spartanburg
Get Directions

DRC Hours

Monday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Notes

This Disaster Recovery Center will close at 7 p.m. on November 15, 2024.

Aiken Technical College

Address

2276 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Graniteville, South Carolina 29829
Aiken
Get Directions

DRC Hours

Monday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday:8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday:8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday:Closed

Notes

This Disaster Recovery Center will close at 6 p.m. on November 15, 2024.

Anderson County Library

Address

300 N McDuffie St
Anderson, South Carolina 29621
Anderson
Get Directions

DRC Hours

Monday:9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday:9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Wednesday:9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Thursday:9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Friday:9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday:9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday:2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Notes

This Disaster Recovery Center will temporarily close on Mon - Wed, 11/4 - 11/6 and re-open on Thurs, 11/7 normal operational hours.

This Disaster Recovery Center will close at 5 p.m. on November 15, 2024.

Freetown Community Center

Address

200 Alice Avenue
Greenville, South Carolina 29611
Greenville
Get Directions

DRC Hours

Monday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday:8:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Notes

This Disaster Recovery Center will close at 7 p.m. on November 15, 2024.

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