Richland County Residents Left Waiting for FEMA Assistance After Hurricane Helene

Richland County Residents Await FEMA Assistance Following Hurricane Helene

Columbia, S.C. – In the current aftermath of Hurricane Helene, residents of Richland County are finding themselves in a bit of a limbo when it comes to disaster aid. Despite the challenges posed by the hurricane, many in the area are disappointed to learn that they are *not eligible* at this time to apply for emergency assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

FEMA assistance is crucial for many, as it can include grants for temporary housing, essential home repairs, and numerous other programs designed to help individuals and business owners bounce back from the havoc wreaked by the hurricane. Currently, federal funding is flowing to residents in three nearby counties—Lexington, Newberry, and Saluda—but those in Richland County are left waiting and wondering.

Call for Collaboration

Governor Henry McMaster addressed the situation head-on during a briefing with FEMA officials, emphasizing that his office is still in the process of gathering necessary information from various counties across South Carolina to submit for disaster assistance. “The counties themselves must send in the information here for us to transmit it to FEMA,” McMaster explained. “It doesn’t work any other way. If incorrect or fraudulent information is sent in, that is a federal crime.”

This is a vital point: counties need to take action on their end. The governor made it clear that without the accurate and timely submission of information from county officials, there’s no way that Richland County can be considered for assistance. He urged local officials to cooperate swiftly so the state can relay the needed details to FEMA.

Ongoing Damage Assessments

A spokesperson from the South Carolina Emergency Management Division noted that Richland County was not on their original list for individual assistance. Nevertheless, it’s still possible for the county to be added to the FEMA assistance list once *damage assessments* are completed and information is available. “Disaster assessments are ongoing,” the spokesperson said, “and additional evaluations will be conducted by the county, state officials, and FEMA.”

Richland County’s efforts to start damage assessments are ramping up, with plans to seek addition to the assistance list following the conclusion of their “emergency response phase.” According to a statement from county officials, it’s important for them to assess the full scope of damages before proceeding with any requests for federal funding.

Concern from Local Leadership

In light of these developments, local representatives are expressing their concerns. Representative Heather Bauer, a Democratic member of the House from Richland, reached out to the governor’s office, seeking clarity on why her county was excluded from the initial list of eligible areas. In response, McMaster’s office confirmed that once the required paperwork from Richland County has been received, they could indeed be added to the final list that is submitted to FEMA.

In an update on the situation, Bauer shared her frustration but also noted that county officials are now working diligently to rectify this oversight. “Thanks to Governor McMaster’s office, I learned that Richland County had not yet submitted for this assistance,” Bauer stated, indicating that the necessary steps are finally being taken.

A Hopeful Outlook

The continued work of Richland County’s Emergency Management Division aims to guarantee the safety and well-being of its residents amidst these challenging times following Hurricane Helene. A statement from county officials reflected their firm commitment to assessing the situation and ultimately seeking FEMA assistance: “While Richland County was not on the initial list, these lists are not final. Once our emergency response work wraps up, we’ll act quickly to get assessments done.”

As the efforts progress, residents continue to hold onto hope that federal assistance will soon be on the horizon, allowing Richland County to recover and rebuild in the wake of the hurricane’s disaster. Stay tuned as we follow this developing story and bring you updates on how the situation evolves.