FEMA ADMINISTRATOR MEETS OFFICIALS AND SURVIVORS IN SOUTH CAROLINA
AND CHECKS ON HELENE RECOVERY EFFORTS AS ASSISTANCE TO SURVIVORS
SURPASSES $1 BILLION
[https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20241024/fema-administrator-meets-officials-and-survivors-south-carolina-and-checks]


Release Date: 
October 24, 2024 

WASHINGTON – FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell traveled to South
Carolina to meet with local and state officials today and check-in on
long-term recovery efforts. She surveyed areas affected by Hurricane
Helene in Aiken, South Carolina.  

Criswell, who is directing the federal response to Helene, visited a
Disaster Recovery Center in Aiken and met with survivors. There are
nearly 60 CENTERS open across states affected by Helene and Milton
where survivors can speak with representatives from states, FEMA and
the U.S. Small Business Administration that can assist them with their
recovery.  Survivors can find their closest center at FEMA.gov/DRC
[http://FEMA.gov/DRC]. 

So far, FEMA has approved more than $1 BILLION in assistance for
individuals and families affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton to
help pay for housing repairs, personal property replacement, and other
recovery efforts. Over 5,000 FEMA PERSONNEL are supporting communities
across the Southeast where they’re coordinating with local
officials, conducting damage assessments and helping individuals apply
for disaster assistance programs.

Additionally, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Operation
Blue Roof [http://www.blueroof.gov/] which is a free service to
homeowners for 25 COUNTIES in Florida impacted by Hurricane
Milton. Residents can sign-up at www.blueroof.gov
[http://www.blueroof.gov/] or by calling 888-ROOF-BLU
(888-766-3258).  The sign-up period deadline is Nov. 5.

FEMA encourages Helene and Milton survivors to apply for disaster
assistance online as this remains the quickest way to start your
recovery. Individuals can apply for federal assistance by: 

	* Applying online at disasterassistance.gov
[https://www.disasterassistance.gov/]
	* Calling 800-621-3362, Staffed daily from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. local time
	* Using the FEMA App
[https://www.fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/mobile-products]
	* Visiting a Disaster Recovery Center
[https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator] to talk with FEMA and
state agency officials and apply for assistance

President Joseph R. Biden has approved major disaster declarations in
six states--Florida [https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4828], Georgia
[https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4830], North Carolina
[https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4827], South Carolina
[https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4829], Tennessee
[https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4832] and Virginia
[https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4831]--affected by Helene. He has also
approved a major disaster declaration for Florida
[https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4834] following Hurricane Milton.

These photos highlight response and recovery efforts across states
impacted by hurricanes Helene and Milton.

 [FEMA Administrator Criswell visits hurricane survivors in Augusta,
GA] AUGUSTA, Georgia - FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell talks with a
hurricane survivor during her visit to the impacted area to learn more
about the ongoing recovery efforts. (_Photo credit: FEMA_) 
 [FEMA Administrator Visits Disaster Recovery Center in Augusta,
Georgia] AUGUSTA, Georgia - FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell visits
a Disaster Recovery Center where staff are helping survivors jumpstart
their recovery following Hurricane Helene. (_Photo credit: FEMA_) 
 [Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams in Charlotte County] PUNTA GORDA,
Florida - FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Team members conduct
outreach in affected communities to inform survivors about local and
FEMA resources for their recovery. (_Photo Credit: FEMA_) 
 [FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Help Hurricane Survivors] CALDWELL
COUNTY, North Carolina - FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams are
in North Carolina visiting areas affected by Helene to help survivors
apply for federal disaster assistance. (_Photo Credit: FEMA_) 
 [FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Help Hurricane Survivors]
JONESBOROUGH, Tennessee - FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams
assist survivors of Helene in their recovery efforts at Fender's Farm.
(_Photo Credit: FEMA_) 
 [DSA Registers Survivors in Orange County, FL] ORANGE COUNTY, Florida
- Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams register survivors for disaster
assistance at the Bithlo Community Center following Hurricane Milton.
(_Photo Credit: FEMA_)  
FEMA’s Disaster Multimedia Toolkit
[https://www.fema.gov/disaster/recover/multimedia-toolkit] page
provides graphics, social media copy and sample text in multiple
languages. In addition, FEMA has set up a rumor response web page
[https://www.fema.gov/disaster/recover/rumor/hurricane-rumor-response]
to reduce confusion about its role in the Helene response.