Governor Henry McMaster, along with the South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD), has announced that Richland County is now eligible for expedited federal individual disaster assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
The Richland County Emergency Management Division (RCEMD) has started assessing hurricane-related damage across the county to determine its eligibility for FEMA’s Expedited Major Presidential Disaster Declaration. This process will help ensure that federal assistance is provided to those in need as quickly as possible.
“We appreciate the collaboration between our local, state, and federal partners to support the residents of Richland County,” said Richland County Administrator Leonardo Brown. “Our teams are working tirelessly to assist those who have suffered damage and loss due to Hurricane Helene, and we are grateful for everyone’s efforts in this process.”
FEMA assistance can help residents with a variety of disaster-related needs, including temporary housing, home repairs, personal property loss, and displacement costs.
Residents can apply for assistance by:
- Online: Visit www.disasterassistance.gov
- FEMA App: Download and use the FEMA app.
- By Phone: Call 800-621-3362.
When applying, you will need:
- A current contact phone number
- The address where you lived during the disaster and your current address
- Your Social Security number
- A general list of damages and losses
- Banking information (if you prefer direct deposit)
- Insurance details, including your policy number or the agent/company name
If you’ve been impacted by the hurricane, apply for assistance as soon as possible.