Recovery Progress Made One Month After Declaration
Release Date: October 21, 1999
Release Number: 1299-33
» More Information on South Carolina Hurricane Floyd
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- One month ago, at the request of South Carolina Gov. Jim Hodges, President Clinton first declared residents of Horry, Georgetown and Charleston counties eligible for disaster assistance for losses between Sept. 14 to 30, following Hurricane Floyd.
Since that Sept. 21 disaster declaration, 11 counties have been designated for federal and state individual assistance and 27 counties are receiving some types of infrastructure assistance, ranging from debris removal and emergency protective services to repairs to roads and bridges, water control facilities, public buildings and public utilities.
The counties receiving individual assistance are: Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dillon, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Marion, Orangeburg and Williamsburg.
Counties that are eligible for a range of public assistance services include: Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, Marlboro, Marion, Orangeburg, Richland, Sumter and Williamsburg.
The declaration also makes cost-shared funding available to the state for approved projects that reduce future disaster risks.
During the past four weeks, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the South Carolina Emergency Preparedness Division (EPD) have reported the following disaster recovery results:
- 11,539 South Carolina residents have applied for assistance by calling the toll-free number 1 800-462-9029 (TTY 1 800-462-7585 for the hearing and speech impaired) from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week, until further notice. More than 300 people continue to apply for assistance daily. The deadline to call and apply for disaster assistance is Friday, November 19.
- A total of $9,396,256 has been approved for disaster grants and low-interest loans.
- 4,000 applicants received $4.67 million for disaster housing assistance grants, covering temporary rental assistance and emergency home repairs.
- 570 people are approved to receive $1,008,009 in Individual and Family Grant (IFG) funds for serious, unmet needs not covered by other programs.
- A total of $3,362,900 in U.S. Small Business (SBA) low-interest loans have been approved for 136 homeowners, who received $3,362,900, and 26 businesses that received $358,400.
- 4,320 SBA loan packets were issued, but only 760 applications have been returned. SBA officials urge application packet recipients to complete the documents and return them as soon as possible. If the loan application is not completed and returned, it may affect eligibility for other forms of disaster assistance.
- Supported by a $100,000 FEMA grant to seven eligible counties, more than 6,500 contacts have been made with State Department of Mental Health (DMH) representatives that resulted in crisis counseling, outreach services and referral services.
- 12 temporary Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) served 3,264 disaster survivors. The Conway DRC is open until further notice, and there is an SBA Workshop, including two Human Services representatives, at Myrtle Beach.
- The toll-free FEMA Helpline 1 800-525-0321 (TTY 1 800-660-8005) has responded to more than 15,562 South Carolina callers.
- Approximately $3.2 million in federal funds have been obligated for public infrastructure projects. State agencies, local governments, special purpose districts, and private nonprofit organizations have submitted 180 requests for public, infrastructure assistance.
- A $3.35 million federal and state cost-share contract is funding storm-related debris cleanup in Horry County. Debris removal began on Oct. 11; wind-generated debris will be picked up until Oct. 24, and flood debris will be picked up until further notice.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 03-Dec-2003 14:50:32