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Beaufort County opens FEMA Individual Assistance for Hurricane Helene damage
Summary
County Administrator announced on Oct. 14 that Beaufort County qualifies for FEMA Individual Assistance after Hurricane Helene; residents with uninsured storm damage can apply online, by phone, via the FEMA app or at an upcoming Disaster Recovery Center coordinated with SCEMD and SBA support.
Beaufort County Administrator Mr. Moore announced that the county received an Individual Assistance declaration under the presidential major disaster declaration for South Carolina related to Hurricane Helene, signed Sept. 29, 2024. The designation makes residents with uninsured storm damage eligible to apply for federal disaster aid for temporary housing, home repairs and other disaster-related costs not covered by insurance.
"Residents who experienced uninsured damage or loss because of Hurricane Helene are now eligible to apply for federal disaster assistance to aid in their recovery," Mr. Moore said during the council’s Oct. 14 meeting. He listed registration options: online at www.disasterassistance.gov, by phone at 1-800-621-3362 (7 a.m.–11 p.m. Eastern, seven days a week), or via the FEMA mobile app.
Mr. Moore said county staff will work with the South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) and FEMA to set up a local Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). The county will announce DRC location, dates and on-site assistance once those details are finalized; the county said Bemis and Small Business Administration (SBA) staff will be available at the DRC to assist residents and businesses.
The administrator also noted that businesses that suffered property or economic loss may be eligible for SBA assistance and pointed residents to the SBA lending site for more information. County staff said they will track how many residents register and will share updates publicly.
The announcement follows the county’s earlier statement that Beaufort County was largely spared the worst of recent wind and storm events, but county leaders emphasized the new federal assistance as a resource for households and small businesses that did sustain damage.
The council did not take further action on the FEMA designation at the Oct. 14 meeting; Mr. Moore said follow-up announcements will provide the DRC schedule and additional instructions for applying.
