Three Additional Counties Eligible for Public Assistance Funding in South Carolina

ATLANTA – Ten South Carolina counties are now eligible to apply for additional funding under FEMA’s Public Assistance Program to supplement state and local recovery efforts in areas that sustained damage from severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding that occurred February 6-13, 2020.

In addition to the seven counties announced on March 17, Bamberg, Barnwell, and Hampton counties may now request funding under the Public Assistance grant program. Assistance may cover eligible debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the repair or rebuilding of public facilities such as roads, bridges, water control facilities, buildings, equipment, public utilities, parks, and recreational facilities.

The president’s March 17 major disaster declaration for South Carolina was amended to make Public Assistance funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for all categories of work, including debris removal, emergency protective measures, restoration of public facilities and infrastructure, and direct federal assistance.

Public Assistance funding for the state and designated counties may include payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for debris removal and emergency protective measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health as a result of the storm.

All areas in the State of South Carolina are eligible for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards.

For more information on the South Carolina recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4479.