The Official Web Site of the State of South Carolina

Hurricane Helene Information Here 

SCEMD Information Hotline 1-866-246-0133

Apply for FEMA Assistance Here or Call 1-800-621-3362

2024 Hurricane Helene

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HURRICANE HELENE INFORMATION LINE: 1-866-246-0133

Citizens who have questions about Helene can now call the state’s toll-free hotline. Operators with the State’s Public Information Phone System are available 24 hours a day for as long as needed.  

 

Apply for FEMA Assistance: 1-800-621-3362 (7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily) 

On Sunday, the President approved a disaster declaration for South Carolina, ordering Federal aid to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Helene beginning on September 25, 2024, and continuing.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas (Abbeville, Aiken, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Cherokee, Edgefield, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, Lexington, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, and Union Counties) can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service. 

FEMA may be able to help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs. 

Damage assessments are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed.

 

Crisis Cleanup Hotline: 844-965-1386

If you need help cleaning up damage from the Hurricane Helene, call (844) 965-1386 to be connected to volunteers from local relief organizations, community groups and faith communities who may be able to assist with cleanup, trees, tarping, and debris.  

 

Department of Public Health Care Line: 1-855-472-3432

The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is expanding the hours of its public information Care Line beginning today. Care Line representatives will be available to answer questions about any DPH public health department services that are interrupted due to Hurricane Helene and provide other storm-related information. DPH’s Care Line helps residents find important health care services they need. Services include prenatal care, infant health care, transportation to medical appointments, family planning, well child check-ups, vaccinations, services for children with special health care needs, and much more. Learn more here. 

 

For the most current information about Helene, please refer to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division.

  • SCEMD's hurricane.sc website outlines preparation steps, what to have in an emergency kit, and important resource contacts.
  • Follow SCEMD on Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram for real-time updates.
  • News releases from SCEMD can be found here.


As citizens begin clean-up efforts, remember these important tips:

  1. Watch Out for Power Lines: Avoid any fallen trees that may be tangled with live wires.
  2. Stay Out of Flood Water: It may contain hazards that can hurt you or make you sick.
  3. Avoid Unnecessary Travel: Help emergency workers by staying off the roadways unless absolutely necessary to travel.
  4. Take Pictures/Document Damage: Before starting cleanup, take pictures of any damage for insurance claims. Contact insurance company. Save all related receipts.
  5. Protective Gear: Wear sturdy shoes, gloves, eyewear, and a helmet when dealing with debris.
  6. Consult Waste Management: Contact local authorities about how to properly dispose of trash and debris.
    1. Residents can request voluntary agency assistance with debris removal, tarping of roof, etc., by registering their need with Crisis Cleanup. Call 1-844-965-1386.
  7. Discard Unrecoverable Items: Remove items that cannot be cleaned or disinfected properly.
  8. Use Proper Cleaning Supplies: Most household cleaning products can be used. Follow the label’s directions.
  9. Licensed Contractors: For professional assistance, use the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation to find licensed contractors at llr.sc.gov.

Residents can also use the Damage Assessment tool in the SC Emergency Manager app to report property damage to authorities. Download the app on the App Store and on Google Play: http://onelink.to/dn92rx.

Power outages remain widespread and should be reported to the local electricity provider for your area.

Be aware of potential flash flooding:

  • If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move to higher ground. Do not wait to be told to move.
  • Do not walk through moving water. Three to six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you. 
  • Do not drive into flooded areas. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars.  If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You and the vehicle can be quickly swept away. 
  • Never drive around or move barricades blocking a street. 

Be cautious of downed trees and power lines:

  • Never touch or attempt to remove fallen limbs from downed or sagging power lines. 
  • Always report downed lines to your utility provider. Never call 9-1-1 to report downed power lines or power outages. 
  • Keep children and pets away from fallen electric lines.

Damage Reporting

  • Submit damage reports to your county's EMD or other designated hotline.
  • Report damage directly to SCEMD using the SC Emergency Manager App. Download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
  • Eligible residents should apply for FEMA assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App.
  • The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services asks that residents and officials report damage to beachfront structures, including seawalls, revetments, and dune walkovers as well as erosion using SCDES BCM's MyCoast web and mobile application. 

After reporting damage to SCEMD, finding local community resources should be residents' next step in the disaster recovery process. Start by reviewing SCEMD's "Recovery Programs" webpage which lists resources and outlines the disaster recovery process.

Next, keep checking this webpage to see the availability of FEMA public or individual assistance. If your county of residence is listed for individual assistance, you may be able to apply for assistance on disasterassistance.gov. When you apply, you will be asked to provide the following: description of damage, address, Social Security number, contact information, insurance information, income, etc. If you have insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA can’t pay for losses your insurance will cover. 

Statewide Resources:

S.C. Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) | scemd.org

S.C. Department of Public Safety, Emergency Traffic Network | realtimetraffic.scdps.gov

National Hurricane Center (NHC) | hurricanes.gov

The Official Website of the State of SC | sc.gov/

SC Department of Insurance | doi.sc.gov 803-737-6160 803-768-3467

American Red Cross | redcross.org 1-866-438-4636

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) | fema.orgready.org

S.C. Salvation Army | doingthemostgood.org 704-522-4970

S.C. Department of Transportation | scdot.org 855-GO-SCDOT