President Joe Biden has approved a Major Disaster Declaration in South Carolina, which makes federal funding available to help in the recovery effort. People and businesses in Greenville, Spartanburg, Cherokee, Anderson, and Pickens Counties are eligible to apply for grants to help with temporary housing and home repairs and low-cost loans to cover uninsured property.
To apply for assistance, register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or use the FEMA app. You can also call 1-800-621-3362.
If you need help with filling out FEMA applications, Greer Relief is offering assistance with that and many other necessities in the community. They're operating on a modified schedule through at least Friday, Oct. 4:
10 AM – 5 PM: Lobby open for phone charging, Wi-Fi, water, and bathrooms
10 AM – 4 PM: Emergency disaster food relief distribution
10 AM – 5 PM: Assistance for those needing help completing their FEMA Disaster Assistance Requests
10 AM – 5 PM: Workstation for those needing power, internet, and a workplace
American Red Cross of South Carolina
Food Banks/Distribution Lists
Some of the local media are creating lists of places and organizations that are distributing food. Find them below:
Shelters listed by SC Emergency Management Division
TIPS ON DEALING WITH DAMAGE
FEMA has some tips for home and business owners affected by Helene:
Take photos or videos of the damage before you clean up
Make a list of damaged items and gather original receipts if you have them
Call your insurance agent to submit a claim
EMERGENCY MANAGER APP:
The South Carolina Emergency Management Division has an app you can use to report property damage, keep track of supplies, and stay connected with loved ones (along with many other functions). The Emergency Manager can function when utilities are out and a data connection is not available.
Download the app on the Apple Store or Google Play.
HURRICANE SEASON RESOURCES:
The SC EMD has a wealth of information, links, and recovery advice on its Hurricane Season Resources page. Get info on business re-entry, insurance, continuity plans, and a lot more.
CLEANUP HELP
SC's Emergency Management Division has a Crisis Cleanup service staffed by volunteers. While the service is dependent on demand and volunteer availability, it's designed to help with cleaning up trees, tarping roofs, and clearing debris. Call the Crisis Cleanup line at 844.965.1386 or visit crisiscleanup.org.
UPDATED ROAD TRAVEL INFO
The South Carolina Department of Transportation has a storm resources page. There you can find links to the 511 Traveler Information System, the Roadway Information System, and the SC Hurricane Guide. SC 511 has traffic cameras, travel time estimates, and other helpful tools for drivers. Click the image below to get a real-time view of road closures, accidents, and traffic flow.
GSP IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS
The Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport says it's open and fully operational for commercial passengers, general aviation, and cargo services. A spokesperson told us travelers should check directly with their airlines for the most up-to-date flight information.
POWER RESTORATION:
Crews are working around the clock to restore power to homes and businesses. In the City of Greer, Greer CPW says it has fewer than 1,800 customers who are still without power.
GET UPDATES FROM OTHER POWER PROVIDERS:
DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT FUNDS
Business owners, people who are self-employed, and folks who have lost their jobs as a direct result of Hurricane Helene can apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. Workers or business owners who meet certain criteria may be eligible to receive between $150 and $326 per week.
Visit the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce website to see the eligibility requirements and begin your application.
PRICE GOUGING LAW
It is against the law to unreasonably raise prices during a disaster. Learn more about the rules and report any suspected cases here.
CLEANUP SAFETY ADVICE FROM OSHA
The South Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Administration has many resources to help keep you and your team safe as you clean up storm damage. Tip sheets posted on SC OSHA's website include chainsaw safety, electrical safety, mold hazards and cleanup and much more.
Can't find the help you need? You can call or text 2-1-1 for free assistance locating organizations that can fill your needs. If you have internet access, the 211 website has a disaster section with helpful links.
ADDITIONAL LINKS
SC DHEC Disaster Preparedness (post-storm tips, many documents in Spanish)
American Red Cross of South Carolina
Ready.gov (includes tips on returning after storms and is translated in many languages including French, Portuguese, and Russian)
We'll add more resources as we find them.