Tag: Hurricane Response

By Alyssa Young, originally published by Spectrum News November 8, 2024.

Columbia S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster and Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette announced the launch of Farm and Forest Recovery Resource Days, which will assist South Carolina’s farming and forestry communities affected by Hurricane Helene.

Acting as a one stop shop to learn about available assistance and services, Farm and Forest Recovery Resource Days will take place in Aiken on Friday, November 15, Greenville on Thursday, November 21, and Myrtle Beach on Friday, December 6th.

Damage assessments completed by the S.C. Department of Agriculture and S.C. Forestry Commission estimated the total financial damage to South Carolina’s agribusiness industry from Hurricane Helene, Tropical Storm Debby, and this summer’s flash drought to be $621 million.

In response, Governor McMaster today wrote a letter to members of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation requesting their support in securing federal funding through a block grant to the S.C. Department of Agriculture. This would allow additional resources to be deployed to affected farming and forestry communities across the state.

“These staggering losses represent a critical blow to an industry already contending with rising inflation, labor shortages, and market pressures. The future of hundreds of agricultural operations is at risk, and without timely intervention, we face the prospect of long-term harm to the livelihoods of families who sustain our rural communities and contribute significantly to South Carolina’s prosperity and heritage,” Governor McMaster wrote in his letter.

By Bria Smith, originally posted October 18 by WJBF News Channel 6

AIKEN, S.C. (WJBF) – Today a Team South Carolina Day was held in Aiken County. Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette was there to cheer on the team in charge of bringing relief to victims of Hurricane Helene.

County Days like these provide local residents, affected by Hurricane Helene with a one stop opportunity to learn about relief resources available to them.

“Well, I am homeless. So, my tent got messed up and all of my stuff got messed up and I asked for assistance on helping me with food and stuff, and they’re trying to come inspect the woods where my tent was and I’m like ‘that doesn’t make sense to me, how would you inspect the woods…,” Christina Stewart, who attended the event, said.

It’s stories like Christina Stewart’s, this event was designed– to make all resources easily-accessible to residents in Aiken, Saluda, and Edgefield counties no matter their living circumstances. 

“It’s, it’s the people that come, they’re coming here because they really don’t know what to do, most of the time it’s our seniors, and I think that’s something we have to be very conscious of– my mom will be 96 tomorrow, so I realize first-hand that technology gets way past what our seniors feel comfortable on. And so, bringing every single state resource, bringing in FEMA, bringing in local government and sitting in one room and letting people get the services they need…,” Lt. Governor, S.C. Pamela Evette said.

Many impacted by the hurricane say it’s hard to get all the information on local resources due to power and internet service outages. 

“It’s actually good to have this stuff out because not everybody has internet, they don’t know how to use the internet for applications. A whole lot of older people, they have problems with that and, and them coming out just to help all of us– because we don’t have access to the internet and phones and stuff, and you just come out here and actually speak to someone and get a clear answer…” Stewart said.

And other issues post-Helene causes that could be rooted deeper.

“When you have a disaster like this, the amount of stress that develops for each person– and each person has their own story, obviously. Whether they lost their house or their pet, they are going to be in need of having a talk– being able to express how they feel,” S.C. Department of Mental Health Dr. Robert Bank said.

While the Aiken County “County Day” is over with, today, you can visit SCEMD for the three additional county days they will be adding.

By Matthew Christian, originally posted October 19, 2024 by Aiken Standard

The USC Aiken Convocation Center was filled  Oct. 18 but not with people attending a Pacers game or watching a graduation.

Instead,  it was filled with people seeking help recovering from Tropical Storm Helene at a Team South Carolina County Day. 

Team South Carolina County Days offer residents a one-stop shop to meet with federal and state agencies and local nonprofits and learn about resources available. 

Sharon Carpenter said she applied to FEMA for relief but had not gotten a response. 

People affected by Tropical Storm Helene can apply for assistance at disasterassistance.gov. 

“I didn’t get any help so I came in to see if maybe doing it person would help,” Carpenter said. “They said it’d be a couple of weeks.” 

Helene was completely unexpected, Carpenter continued. 

Tropical Storm Helene moved through Aiken County early on Sept. 27, bringing wind gusts of over 90 mph to the area. Meteorologists had been predicting 50 mph wind gusts but the storm took an unexpected turn east after making landfall late Sept. 26. 

“It’s like it just came through Whiskey Road and leveled everything,” Carpenter said. “I didn’t really realize it was that bad until I got up. It was a freight train because we heard that.” 

South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette visited with several people at the event. 

Evette said she met with a man who wanted clarification on how to get information on disaster assistance. 

Aiken County and its neighbors were among the last areas of South Carolina to have power restored. As such, many residents didn’t have access to the internet to learn about the disaster assistance available from the federal and state governments and local nonprofits.

“Communication’s probably a little bit more backed up here, too,” Evette said. 

“He lives in a rural spot in Edgefield County and he just felt kind of forgotten and, by the time he left, he had the information he needed. He had the numbers he needed.” 

Evette said she also told the man that the state would continue to help people until they’ve recovered. 

“A lot of times what people need in this aftermath is somebody to say that it’s going to be OK and we’re not going to go away and we’re going to help you get through it,” Evette said. 

Tabetha Treadwell-McGee and her mother, Wanda Stewart, live off Bettis Academy Road near Graniteville. 

Helene was bad, McGee said. 

“Something we’ve never experienced,” she continued. 

One tree fell on their home and several fell around it but they didn’t lose power. 

“The thing is everybody around us did and we had to spend cash the whole time,” Stewart said. 

McGee added she was hoping to get more assistance at the event rather than be provided information about how to get assistance. 

There is one remaining Team South Carolina County Day. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday at the James Medford Family Event Center at Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood. 

By Graham Lee. Originally posted October 17, 2024 by WJBF News Channel 6

ALLENDALE, S.C. (WJBF) – South Carolina state leaders continue to visit our local counties following Hurricane Helene—which hit the CSRA exactly three weeks ago.

Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette took the trip from Columbia to Allendale to help with recovery efforts. 

Since Helene hit our area, state leaders have been working to organize Team South Carolina County Days.

The first one was Tuesday, October 15th at Piedmont Technical College in Laurens County, South Carolina. 

Organizations and agencies from across the Palmetto State met at USC Salkehatchie to offer a quick one-stop shop to meet the needs of those affected by the hurricane.

“FEMA is here (and that gets the ball rolling), Director Duncan with the Office of Resiliency—which is our state version of what FEMA does with resources. We also have every other state agency, and you just don’t realize how valuable this is until you start to see people walking in,” said Evette.

The following agencies were in attendance: 

• S.C. Department of Agriculture: Gathering impact data in preparation for upcoming Farm Recovery Centers (FRC)
• S.C. Department of Alcohol: Providing counseling resources, alcohol, and drug services and substance use prevention
• S.C. Department of Disabilities and Special Needs: Supplying information on resources and services for individuals with disabilities 
• S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce: Supplying information on unemployment benefits (including Disaster Unemployment Assistance) and employment services
• S.C. Department of Environmental Services: Providing assistance for private drinking well owners and free test kits for those whose wells have been impacted by floodwaters
• S.C. Department of Health and Human Services: Providing information on health care services and Medicaid
• S.C. Department of Insurance: Providing information on the insurance claim process and coverage and insurance fraud prevention
• S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation: Providing information on fire safety, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and residential builder information
• S.C. Department of Mental Health: Providing general center-wide resources and personal screenings as appropriate
• S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles: Assisting citizens attending the event
• S.C. Department of Public Health: Providing Information on Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), educational resources and support, and onside Tdap and flu vaccines
• S.C. Department of Social Services: Providing guidance on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and Affidavit of Loss due to a household misfortune
• S.C. Department on Aging: Providing information on services for seniors
• S.C. Division of Veterans Affairs: Providing information on services for veterans
• S.C. Emergency Management Agency: Coordinating individual disaster assistance with FEMA, and will provide information for residents about personal recovery steps
• S.C. Housing Authority: Providing rental properties listing and potential resources for home repairs
• S.C. Office of Resilience: Providing disaster care managers to assist eligible citizens with disaster-caused, unmet needs through a basic intake process
• FEMA: Providing assistance with registering for financial assistance related to the storm
• U.S. Small Business Administration: Providing assistance with applying for disaster loans
• United Way Association of South Carolina/AmeriCorps SC and Local Chapters: Providing information on community volunteer opportunities
• One SC Fund: Providing information on nonprofit resources during disaster relief 

 

Two weeks ago, Evette joined Governor Henry McMaster for a visit to Edgefield County. At that point, 53% of residents were still without power, but now that’s not the case. 

“I heard on Saturday morning that the Co-Op in Edgefield County got their last person back up and running with power on Friday around 8 o’clock, so that’s good. As for the Internet, our internet providers can’t get on the poles until the electric is done,” Evette said. “So as soon as the electricity is on and it’s safe for them to go, they’ll be on the job in a jiffy.”

Residents from Edgefield, Barnwell, and Bamberg counties were able to take advantage of the services.

Leaders from those state agencies say they’re just happy to help.

“One thing our agency does for low to moderate income individuals is if their homes are damaged or destroyed by a disaster, if they meet the qualifications, we can repair or replace their homes,” said S.C. Department of Resilience Rep. Ben Duncan. 

“We are just here at this location to help people understand the registration process. To register for disaster assistance, ask us questions about the process, and just answer any questions whatsoever that they might have about the recovery,” said FEMA Rep. Nikki Gaskins-Campbell. 

“It’s not that we can cut the tree off your house, or magically fund you for federal dollars that can solve all of your problems. But when we’re here we can see the devastation, we can see what they’re going through. I think it lets the community know just how much we care, and that’s why it’s important to be here,” Evette added. “This is Team South Carolina, and this is what makes our state so special. We come together as neighbors and friends, and we’re here to help you.”

The Lieutenant Governor also shared her criticisms of the Biden-Harris administration. 

She says the hurricane adds to financial issues those in rural counties like Allendale face because of inflation over the past few years. 

With three weeks to go until Election Day, she not only vocalized her and Governor McMaster’s support for former President Donald Trump, but emphasizes the importance of getting out and voting. 

“The Biden-Harris economy has really hurt a lot of people—even people in our state that is really prosperous,” said Evette. “The governor and I are big supporters of President Trump, and soon-to-be Vice President Vance. Just hearing their plan and what they can do makes us excited for November 5th. I just encourage everybody to get out and vote, even in a bright-red sate like South Carolina.”

Evette will be in Aiken on Friday, October 18th for another Team South Carolina County Day. 

The event will feature the above agencies once again, and this time the services will help residents in Aiken, Saluda, and Edgefield counties. 

The Team SC Day will be at the USC Aiken Convocation Center in Graniteville from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

By Deric Rush, Originally posted by WIS10 on October 15, 2024

CLINTON, S.C. — Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette attended Tuesday’s South Carolina County Days event in Laurens County.

The initiative, hosted by Governor Henry McMaster and Evette, offers South Carolinians impacted by Hurricane Helene a one-stop opportunity to discover available relief resources.

More than 25 state, federal and nonprofit agencies were part of Tuesday’s resource fair.

Residents in attendance could receive tetanus shots, flu shots, and SNAP benefits assistance.

The table with longest wait time was the FEMA assistance table.

More than 80 people were waiting to be seen at one point Tuesday afternoon.

FEMA has been staging disaster recovery centers across the state. 

A spokesperson said they’ve fielded roughly 200 applicants in some cases, while providing more than $100 million in disaster relief to the state.

“I said I need to go there. I need some assistance. It messed my door up…the roof on top of my house,” said Laurens County resident Cynthia Walls. Walls told WIS her home experienced significant damage during Hurricane Helene.

“This is a one stop shop for anybody to come in to get the help they need,” said Lt. Governor Evette.

“People have their electricity on. Their assessing their damage. because these rural areas, sometimes people don’t have the transportation to get out you know to come to a Greenville or Spartanburg. And we want to make sure that we’re servicing all South Carolinians,” she added.

Team S.C. plans to host two more South Carolina County Days Thursday in Allendale at USC Salkehatchie, Allendale (West) Campus, 465 James Brandt Boulevard, Allendale, S.C.

Another will be hosted Friday in Granitville at USC Aiken Convocation Center, 2049 Champion Way, Graniteville, S.C.

Both are scheduled to take place from 10 a.m – 4 p.m. a link to their website can be found here.

By Alex Hicks Jr. Published by GoUpstate on October 10, 2024.

South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela S. Evette and other state and federal officials and representatives from nonprofits took part in ‘Team South Carolina County Days’ on the campus of USC Upstate in Spartanburg on Thursday, Oct. 10. WATCH NOW.

 

By Kaitlyn McCormick. Originally posted by the Greenville News on October 11, 2024.

In just the first two hours of the Team South Carolina County Day on Friday, 339 people had walked through the doors of Greenville Technical College’s Student Success Center to ask for help.

Inside, tables stretched throughout hallways and other sections of the building’s first floor, draped in identifying tablecloths bearing the emblems of organizations like Duke Energy, the U.S. Small Business Administration, FEMA, and more.

Two weeks after Hurricane Helene ripped through Greenville, those seeking assistance were met with a team of volunteers, clad in pink polos and handing out clipboards, to fill out personal information and indicate what services they may need, including those specifically for veterans and seniors.

Brooke Bailey, director of strategic communications for the South Carolina Department of Administration, said the services available and the community turnout was “pretty incredible.”

Charlie Johnson came to the event with his wife after Helene caused two feet of flooding on the bottom floor of their home. He received information about contractors who could assist him.

“This is good. … It’s amazing,” he said, standing in the lobby of the student center surrounded by others looking for resources.

Wanda Pearson was able to apply for FEMA and small business assistance at the event. While her home wasn’t damaged in the storm, she said her business, C&W Pearson Florists, underwent an economic loss as a result of technical and power difficulties following Helene.

Outside, cars pulled through a drive-in service, receiving donations of water, diapers, and food. They could also access numerous services, including WIC, SNAP benefits, and the American Red Cross.

South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette attended the county day, her third in the Upstate this week. Two others were held in Anderson and Spartanburg counties.

“Everybody here is touching the need of every person,” she said, referencing the abundance of services being provided in one space, a one-stop shop.

The “beauty of having everybody together,” she said, comes from the ease of having multiple services in the same location making it easier for people to access the assistance they came for and other services they may not have known they needed or could access, like supports for veterans and mental health.

“We are S.C. strong,” Evette said. “It makes me so proud.”

Upcoming South Carolina Days are scheduled for further counties in the state, though Greenville residents are still welcome to attend.

A full list of services and dates can be found at the South Carolina Emergency Management Division website.

Photo Credit: Rick Cinclair/Telegram & Gazette/USA Today Network

Written by Emily Smoak. Posted October 10, 2024 by UpstateToday.com.

CLEMSON — The first of three Team South Carolina County Days in the Upstate was held in Clemson on Wednesday. 

The event was held at Clemson University’s Littlejohn Coliseum and featured representatives from more than 40 local, state and federal agencies. 

The event allowed residents to easily access help and resources that they may need in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

Notable organizations represented at the event were the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Small Business Administration, the South Carolina Office of Resilience and the South Carolina Department of Public Health.  

Notable local and state public officials were present at the event including South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette. 

“We did a very similar approach during the pandemic,” Evette said. “The governor and I really wanted everything to be consolidated in one spot, because when you’re panicking, when you have a lot of things crumbling around you, it’s hard to figure out what resources you need and where to go and get that so we put all the resources you need for all of our citizens right here in this area.” 

Evette said that she hopes events like these expedite the recovery timeline. 

“We want to make sure we get you on your feet and moving and get your life back to normal as quickly as we can,” she said.

She later said how this storm has brought the best out of South Carolina. 

“We are South Carolina strong,” she said. “I saw people looking for each other. I saw businesses who had no internet in Edgefield … They had no internet, but they had a hardware store, and they had chainsaws and generators. You know what they did? They took out a yellow piece of yellow legal pad, wrote people’s names and phone numbers and gave them what they needed because they felt it just wasn’t neighborly to hold all those resources that people really needed.”

Besides Evette, South Carolina State Senate President Thomas Alexander was also in attendance for Wednesday’s event. 

“Well, certainly the effort is Team South Carolina,” he said. “Everybody working together, partnering together, providing the resources that are necessary for our citizens in this area to help them navigate and have the opportunity to start their recovery process from the impacts of the hurricane.” 

Alexander spoke about how the event will help residents begin their recovery process. 

“By bringing these resources together and having one entry point, we are trying to make it as seamless as possible for our citizens,” he said. “Today is an important day from that aspect.”

Future Resources

Alexander told The Journal that events like Wednesday’s are just the beginning. 

“(Today) won’t be the last opportunity, but certainly it’s the beginning of the process for our citizens to be looking forward to the future,” he said. “The people, obviously, are hurting, and really during a lot of times, they don’t know where to turn. We’ll continue to have several entry points for our residents locally in Oconee, Pickens and Anderson counties.”

Alexander suggested reaching out to local community offices or visiting them in person if internet access is still inaccessible.

Regardless of what residents chose to do, Alexander said he and his office will continue to be of assistance. 

“This is all hands on deck,” he said. “We’re in it for the long haul, not the short term.” 

Pickens County administrator Ken Roper was also in attendance. 

“We are truly heartened to see so many state agencies, local officials and nonprofit organizations coming together for Team South Carolina County Days,” he said. “This event allows our residents affected by Hurricane Helene to access the resources and support they need in one convenient location. It’s a testament to the strength and resilience of Pickens County and the unwavering commitment of our state and local leaders to helping those in need.”

Other locations 

Team South Carolina County Days will be held in two other locations through the end of the week. 

Today, the event will be held in Spartanburg on the campus of the University of South Carolina Upstate for Spartanburg and Cherokee Counties. 

On Friday, Team South Carolina County Day will be held at the campus of Greenville Technical college for residents of Greenville County.