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Former FEMA official urges culturally tailored hurricane outreach as Beaufort County ranked most vulnerable
Summary
Melvin Hollis, a former FEMA associate, told the task force Beaufort County ranks highest in a 2020 vulnerability study and urged culturally appropriate communications, explained FEMA eligibility reforms for heirs property and underinsured survivors, and encouraged mitigation planning and faith‑based partnership involvement.
Melvin Hollis, who said he served at FEMA and taught emergency management, told the task force that climate change and demographic shifts threaten Gullah communities and that federal disaster policy has changed to improve access to assistance for heirs property holders and underinsured survivors. "I no longer work for the federal government... but for the last 5 years of my active professional life, I was a professor who taught emergency management," Hollis said.
Hollis cited a 2020 study that, he said, listed Beaufort County as the county most susceptible to natural disasters and warned of an above‑average hurricane season. He explained FEMA programs and recent policy changes intended to reduce barriers: heirs property now may be verified by tax bills, proof of improvements, or a government official’s letter, and individual assistance eligibility can cover up to $42,500 for uninsured or underinsured damages. "If you can show that you're paying the tax bill on that property... you will now be eligible for the FEMA resources," he said.
Hollis emphasized culturally appropriate outreach through churches and trusted community institutions, noting that many older residents distrust government communications and that messaging must come through local trusted messengers. He also encouraged the task force to prioritize mitigation funding that targets vulnerable low‑income neighborhoods (not just downtown historic areas) and to work with floodplain managers to identify specific risks and grant opportunities.
Why this matters: the presentation connected federal policy shifts to on‑the‑ground access for Gullah communities—particularly heirs property owners—while warning of significant near‑term storm impacts and rising flood and insurance costs. The task force and public urged drainage and mitigation be prioritized in budgeting and grant planning.
Next steps: Hollis offered to share resources and recommended coordinating mitigation grant applications and culturally tailored communications through faith‑based and community partners.
