South Carolina’s request for an Expedited Major Presidential Disaster Declaration to provide federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in response to Hurricane Helene has been approved.
Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in Aiken and Barnwell, along with 11 other counties outside the CSRA can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621- 3362, or by using the FEMA App. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service, or others, give FEMA the number for that service. More information about this program can be found here.
The storm has taken a toll on CSRA homeowners and the small businesses they would normally support. With no power, no gas, and for some no water, and downed trees which makes travel a challenge, La Vita Bella, a catering business in Aiken closed on Friday morning. They lost some of their baking supplies and most of the food for prepared meals they also offer for sale.
“We have no power at our home nor our shop. So far, between canceling catering events and the meals we offer for sale, we are looking at the least a $12,000 loss,” said La Vita Bella owner, Angela Dragano.
For small business owners, it’s week-to-week and month-to-month and a storm like Helene is a challenge. Her husband, Glen helps with La Vita Bella and also runs a small business, Big D Wood & Metal Creations.
While his business is at a standstill, “he has been out every day helping to clear roads.”
Glen and Angela came to Aiken from Texas. They have experienced their share of storms which led to evacuation but “nothing like this.”
Perhaps, the Draganos and other small business owners can get a hands-up with disaster assistance.
FEMA also approved Public Assistance for Aiken, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Saluda, and Spartanburg counties for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance. Under the Public Assistance program, state and affected local governments are eligible to apply for federal funding to pay 75 percent of the approved costs under certain categories. The division of the remaining 25 percent will be determined later. More information about this program can be found here.
Additionally, the declaration approves Hazard Mitigation Grant program assistance, which makes cost-shared funding available to the state for approved projects that reduce or mitigate future disaster risks. Funds under this program will be available to state agencies, local governments, and certain non-profit organizations only. A wide variety of potential projects are eligible. More information about this program can be found here.
An expedited declaration request is available when the scale and severity of damage are evident, even before complete damage assessments have been conducted. Counties selected for expedited assistance were identified by emergency management officials based on immediate communication with local officials, resource requests, fatalities, and power outages.
The initial list of counties approved for assistance is not final, and additional counties are likely to be added as further damage assessments are completed.
