York County Struggles to Qualify for Federal Aid After Tropical Storm Helene

York County Faces Possible Shortage of Federal Aid After Helene

In the wake of Tropical Storm Helene, folks here in York County are dealing with the aftermath as officials assess damage and the chances of qualifying for federal aid. As of Tuesday, county Emergency Management Director Chuck Haynes reported that the damage has not met the necessary criteria set by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide assistance.

In a recent video shared on social media, Haynes explained that in order to qualify for FEMA help, the county must show significant dollar amounts in damages from the storm, including individual damages to homes and businesses. Unfortunately, “right now we are not seeing enough numbers for that to happen,” he remarked.

A Familiar Situation

This scenario might sound a bit familiar. Earlier this year, a severe hailstorm swept through southern Rock Hill, causing multiple millions of dollars in damage. Despite the destruction, that storm also failed to meet the FEMA threshold. It seems that York County is once again in a tight spot.

Officials are currently gathering property damage reports from the community and assessing the situation in hopes of reaching the necessary metrics for federal aid. Greg Suskin, a county spokesman, emphasized that this assistance could cover various costs, including repairs for damaged homes or businesses and recouping expenses for local governments incurred during the storm.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

The county has established a special website for residents to report damage, share pictures, and aid in cleanup efforts. If you’ve experienced any storm-related property damage, you can also reach out to the Emergency Management office at 803-326-2300. This community-driven response is crucial in creating a request to FEMA for individual assistance.

State Representative Brandon Guffey has also been actively supporting the county. He noted that many counties in western South Carolina did qualify for FEMA assistance after the storm, and he encouraged everyone in York County to report any damages. “Reporting the damage is crucial if we are to qualify,” Guffey stressed.

Small Business Administration Loans

In some more positive news, the Small Business Administration has approved low-interest loans for York County businesses, homeowners, and renters, although specific details on when these loans will become available are still pending.

Weather’s Wrath

The storm brought fierce winds over 50 miles per hour and dumped as much as seven inches of rain in parts of York County. Sadly, a Clover woman lost her life when she was struck by a truck while trying to clear roads, and emergency crews were called to rescue a Rock Hill man who was trapped in his home after a tree fell onto it.

Meanwhile, areas like Catawba Park in Tega Cay and parts of Riverwalk in Rock Hill faced flooding. Power outages also swept across the region, leaving many residents in the dark for days. While most people had their power restored by Tuesday afternoon, around 750 customers were still without power, primarily in rural areas.

Schools and Community Response

In the realm of education, many school districts resumed classes by Monday or Tuesday, with the exception of the York school district. They had to cancel classes again on Tuesday due to power outages affecting two school buildings. Thankfully, they announced that classes would resume Wednesday as power was restored to all campuses.

As for nearby Lancaster County, the damage appears minimal so far, but officials continue their assessments. A major concern was raised about Ander Vincent Road, where storm damage blocked access, though residents weren’t cut off from their homes, according to local authorities.

Chester County also reported minor damages, with some trees falling on roofs but no houses destroyed, according to emergency management director Ed Darby.

As York County moves forward from this stormy chapter, community participation will be key in gathering information and securing the help desperately needed. Whether reporting damage or lending a hand to neighbors, this is a time for the people of York County to come together.