South Carolina budget allocates $40M for Hurricane Helene recovery

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina’s new state budget takes effect Monday, and it includes $40 million in disaster relief funds aimed at helping homeowners still recovering from Hurricane Helene.

The federal government is sending $150 million in Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery funding to the hardest-hit counties. At least 80% of that funding must go to 6 counties in the Upstate hit hardest by the Hurricane. 20% or less can be spent on another 9 counties identified that also suffered extensive damages from Helene, including Orangeburg and Saluda counties.

But the new state funding from the General Assembly will replenish the state’s Disaster Relief funds and  fill in the gaps for counties that didn’t meet federal thresholds but still experienced significant damage.

Midlands residents still suffer from the damages

Deanna George, a Saluda County resident, is still in the process of fixing her home, but she says she isn’t sure if it is livable. Her home flooded during the storm when water poured in from her chimney, damaging her walls and causing the wood to weaken and sink. She now has water damage, mold, and debris in her walls, while she describes her house as ‘leaning’ from the weakened flooring.
“I walk out, and that’s just when we seen the gallons and gallons of water coming down the fireplace,” she said. “There was nothing that you could do—no buckets, no towels, no nothing.”

George said her family is still working to tear up walls and floors damaged by flooding and mold. But if it can’t be repaired, they will have to tear the house down. 

State funding to target low income people

The South Carolina Office of Resilience, which will manage both the state and federal recovery funds, says its priority is helping residents who make less than 30% of the median income in their area, as well as seniors and families with young children.

Ran Reinhard, a representative with the agency, said people who didn’t apply for FEMA assistance may still be eligible for help.
“If they’re low to moderate income and they’re elderly and maybe disabled, it’s very likely they’re exactly the person we’re looking for,” he said.

To apply, you can go to the South Carolina Office of Resilience website and apply for the Disaster Case Management Program. Case managers will help you through the process. 

Reinhard says if you’re unsure, apply anyway. The worst they can do is say no, but you might just get the help you need to rebuild your home.

Applications for the state funding are expected to open soon. Federal funds will become available once the state’s plan is approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.