FEMA Assistance Application Deadline Approaching In South Carolina
South Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene in late September are running out of time to apply for federal disaster assistance.
The deadline to apply is Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) encourages residents to apply for assistance, even if you have insurance. FEMA can’t duplicate what insurance pays, but they can help underinsured applicants once claims have been settled.
Homeowners and renters who are eligible to apply for FEMA assistance are in the following counties:
- Aiken
- Barnwell
- Edgefield
- McCormick
- Saluda
- Abbeville
- Allendale
- Anderson
- Bamberg
- Beaufort
- Cherokee
- Chester
- Fairfield
- Greenville
- Greenwood
- Hampton
- Jasper
- Kershaw
- Laurens
- Lexington
- Newberry
- Oconee
- Orangeburg
- Pickens
- Richland
- Spartanburg
- Union
- York
FEMA Assistance Application Methods Available
- Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
- Visit a Disaster Recovery Center
- Use the FEMA App for mobile devices
- Call toll-free at 800-621-3362
Hurricane Helene Claimed Nearly 50 Lives in South Carolina
Hurricane Helene left a total of 49 people dead across the Palmetto State, including 11 in Aiken County.
Some were killed as a result of trees crashing through homes. One woman died in a house fire that started from a candle that was lit during the power outage. Two had cardiac issues while two others died as a result of respiratory issues related to Helene. A lineman from New York was killed when a tree crashed through the roof of the bed-and-breakfast in Beech Island where he had been staying. A Beech Island couple was found dead in their bedroom, still hugging, when the tree that crashed through the roof was removed. In Saluda County, Fire Chief George Satcher and firefighter Landon Bodie were killed when a falling tree crushed their truck while the two were responding to a house fire.
Hurricane Helene claimed a total of 228 lives across the Southeast. The damage estimate now exceeds $124 billion.
