Beaufort County Residents Can Access FEMA Assistance Following Hurricane Helene

Beaufort County Residents Eligible for FEMA Assistance After Hurricane Helene

Beaufort, SC – The aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which struck late September, has left many Beaufort County residents grappling with unforeseen damages. Thankfully, good news is on the horizon! Residents in Beaufort County can now seek disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for uninsured losses related to the storm.

The inclusion of Beaufort County in the disaster assistance declaration aligns with 27 other counties across South Carolina, as well as the Catawba Indian Nation. This significant step comes after a FEMA team conducted inspections of damaged properties, revealing an estimated $3 million worth of property damage in the county alone. According to Beaufort County Administrator Michael Moore, individuals who experienced damage to their properties are now in a position to receive federal financial aid.

What You Need to Know

This announcement couldn’t have come soon enough. As Helene made landfall, the storm left a path of destruction that included toppled trees and damaged infrastructure. Fortunately, no fatalities were recorded in Beaufort County, even though Helene caused around 250 deaths in total across the affected regions.

In terms of individual assistance, Beaufort County is following closely behind its neighbor Jasper County, which received its approval for aid a week earlier. Unlike Beaufort, Jasper County also qualified for emergency protective services assistance, helping to address the public storm-related expenses and repairing damages at public facilities. Chief Russell Wells of Jasper County Fire-Rescue highlighted the destruction to a fire station, noting that a tree had fallen through it, resulting in substantial damage.

The need for aid is apparent, as Jasper County’s damage assessment pegged the storm’s impact at approximately $5.99 million. Efforts are currently underway to establish a disaster recovery assistance center in Jasper County, allowing residents to start the process of obtaining relief.

SBA Loans Available

The good news continues! Governor Henry McMaster has announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is also offering low-interest disaster loans to individuals and businesses impacted by Helene. Homeowners can apply for loans up to $500,000 to repair or replace damaged properties, while renters and homeowners can qualify for up to $100,000 for personal property repairs.

Moreover, small businesses and private nonprofit organizations can access Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help with working capital needs. This assistance is crucial for businesses that may not have faced physical damage yet still suffered economic losses due to the storm.

The Impact of Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene really packed a punch when it made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 140 mph. It affected a wide area, stretching across Georgia and into the Carolinas, with serious flooding wreaking havoc on communities along the way. Helene also spun off tornadoes in Beaufort County, adding to the storm’s violent impact.

As we reflect on what many have faced since the hurricane, local authorities urge residents to seek the help they need. For those looking to start their assistance application, you can visit disasterassistance.gov or call 800-621-3362 for more information.

While the destruction left in the wake of Hurricane Helene is heartbreaking, the availability of federal assistance shines a light of hope. The road to recovery will take time, but with the right help, residents can begin to restore their lives and communities.