October 2, 2024

Dear Friends,

First, we are so thankful for the first responders, utility workers, and emergency preparedness professionals tirelessly working around the clock and for the strength our community has shown toward our friends and neighbors.  

FEMA Assistance Dollars for SC Residents

Laurens, Edgefield, Abbeville, and McCormick Counties will be added to Emergency Declaration for Individual Assistance. Public Assistance is available because these counties WERE included in that Emergency Declaration. The counties ARE getting assistance.

I am speaking to both the President and the Governor this afternoon in person and will get assurances for Federal FEMA assistance. Those counties being left off the original Declaration is not cause for alarm nor is anyone to blame.

These counties (Laurens, Abbeville, Edgefield and McCormick) were initially listed for Public Assistance (PA) in the Emergency Declaration. They were not initially listed for Individual Assistance (IA).

Public Assistance is to help the local authorities access the needed resources they need, including food, water, medical supplies and any other things a governing authority can access.

Individual Assistance, as I understand it, comes after assessments by FEMA for qualification and MAY include a match (you pay some, government pays bulk).  Document the damage.

That assistance is not immediate, but it is imperative that one fills out an application (it may show “Pending” right now) if you seek FEMA assistance for Storm Helene damage, losses, business closures, etc. The FEMA website has the portal to navigate that.

We appreciate your understanding as the initial flow of information during a generational storm such as this was difficult.

There are 3 ways to apply for FEMA assistance:

• Online by visiting disasterassistance.gov.
• Calling 1-800-621-3362.
• Downloading and applying on the FEMA App.

*Note - even if your county is not on the list, it still may be added if it has incurred widespread destruction and FEMA makes a determination to add the county. Just click "Next" to progress through the application.

FEMA Fact Sheets

• Individuals and Households
• Individuals
• Sequence of Delivery

Disaster Information and Resources

South Carolina Emergency Management Division offers information on shelters, road conditions, ways to help your community, and government closings.

They can be reached at (803) 737-8500

For Power Updates

• Duke Energy 
• Dominion Energy 
• Blue Ridge Electric Coop
• Laurens Electric Coop

County Emergency Managers

Abbeville County Office of Emergency Management
William Blackwell, Director
Kayla Rhodes, Emergency Management Coordinator
PHONE: (864) 366-2400
903 West Greenwood Street, Suite 2700
Abbeville, S.C. 29620

Anderson County Emergency Management Division
Joshua Hawkins, Director
PHONE: (864) 760-1464
200 Bleckley Street
Anderson, S.C. 29625

Edgefield County Emergency Preparedness Agency
Foster Crowder, EMA Manager
PHONE: (803) 637-2123
304 Gray Street
Edgefield, S.C. 29824

Greenville County Office of Emergency Management
Jessica Stumpf, Director
Pierce Womack, Deputy Director
PHONE: (864) 467-2680
225 S. Pleasantburg Drive, Suite 2
Greenville, S.C. 29607

Greenwood County Emergency Management Office
Dereck Oliver, Director of Emergency Services
Robert Cribbin, Emergency Management Coordinator
PHONE: (864) 942-8553
528 Monument Street Rm. B-15 EOC
Greenwood, S.C. 29646

Laurens County Emergency Management Agency
PHONE: (864) 984-2160
Laurens County Emergency Services Complex
P.O. Box 1396
Laurens, S.C. 29360

McCormick County Emergency Services
Jason Brown, Acting Emergency Services Director
Sherry Domas, Emergency Services Coordinator
PHONE: (864) 852-2811
P.O. Box 1140-A
McCormick, S.C. 29835

Newberry County Disaster Preparedness Agency
Tommy Long, Director
PHONE: (803) 321-2135
540 Wilson Road
Newberry, S.C. 29108

Oconee County Emergency Services
Scott Krein, Director
Scott Smith, Deputy Emergency Management Director
PHONE: (864) 638-4200
415 South Pine Street
Walhalla, S.C. 29691

Pickens County Emergency Management Agency
Denise Kwiatek, Director
PHONE: (864) 898-5945
222 McDaniel Ave, B-17
Pickens, S.C. 29671

Saluda County Emergency Management Division
Josh Morton, Director
PHONE: (864) 445-2529
175 Public Safety Drive
Saluda, S.C. 29138

Medical Supply Updates

The Department of Public Health has worked to get a supply of medical oxygen tanks into South Carolina for those in need in certain counties. These tanks have been given to county emergency management divisions who will determine the best distribution plan to those in need.

If you live in one of the following counties and are dependent on oxygen, you can contact your county’s emergency management division for more information:

• Cherokee: (864) 649-8301
• Edgefield: (803) 637-2123
• Oconee: (864) 638-4200
• Pickens: (864) 898-5945
• Saluda: (864) 445-2529
• Spartanburg: (864) 595-5365

Individuals with oxygen concentrators who do not have access to power needed to use their concentrators at home may be eligible for a medical needs shelter. To find out if you are eligible for a medical needs shelter, call the DPH Care Line at 1-855-472-3432.

Blood donations are needed. Donate blood or platelets here:
https://donate.thebloodconnection.org/donor/schedules/zip