FEMA is authorized to provide Public Assistance (Category B) emergency protective measures, limited to direct Federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care including evacuation and shelter support at 75 percent federal funding for the counties of Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Dorchester, Edgefield, Fairfield, Florence, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lee, Lexington, McCormick, Marion, Marlboro, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, Saluda, Sumter, and Williamsburg.
FEMA is also authorized to provide Public Assistance (Category B) emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance for the counties of Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Chester, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg, Union, and York.
Resources Available for Businesses Impacted by Tropical Storm Debby
While Tropical Storm Debby has moved past South Carolina, communities are still feeling the storm’s impacts. For the most up-to-date information, including information on flooding, shelters, road conditions and more, visit the South Carolina Emergency Management Division.
S.C. Commerce remains committed to helping businesses that sustained storm-related damages. Damages can be reported online, or for urgent needs, businesses are urged to contact the Emergency Support Function-24 team directly by email (esf24@emd.sc.gov). A complete list of emergency management resources and contacts is available online.
SC Emergency Management Division’s Disaster Page – https://www.scemd.org/
County Emergency Management Offices – https://www.scemd.org/who-we-are/county-emergency-managers/
Helpful Apps to add to your phone – https://scemd.org/stay-informed/mobile-applications/
Crisis Cleanup is a non-profit organization coordinating local volunteers to help with storm recovery efforts. For free help with debris cleanup and removal, call 1-844-965-1386.
- Damage assessments are ongoing at the local level and among state agencies to quantify residential and business damage, public infrastructure damage, and government response costs. Information from damage assessments will be used to determine if a request for a major disaster declaration under the federal Stafford Act is warranted.
- No federal assistance is available yet for residents with damage from Debby. It is important that residents report damage to their city or county emergency management office so it can be included in what is reported to the state and potentially to seek assistance from the federal government.
- Residents with damage should contact their property insurance carrier as soon as possible. Insurance is the primary way to get assistance with repairs. Note that flood insurance is a separate policy or rider (is not covered under a regular homeowners or renters policy).
- Survivors with residential damage should take photos of damage. If floodwaters have entered the residence, try to take pictures of how high the water level is or was. This can be helpful in showing the severity of damage in support of seeking federal assistance programs as well as for insurance purposes.
- Residents who need assistance with immediate recovery needs such as removing debris from their home, tarping a roof, or emergency shelter (if their home is not livable) can call (844) 965-1386 to report their need to Crisis Cleanup. Voluntary agencies active in disaster (VOADs) will check Crisis Cleanup to identify residents who need assistance.
- South Carolina received a federal emergency declaration (FEMA-EM-3606-SC) on Monday, August 5, that provides limited Public Assistance (PA) reimbursement eligibility for state and local emergency response activities related to evacuation and sheltering. Thirty-four counties and state agencies are potentially eligible PA applicants under the emergency declaration. This does not provide assistance to individuals or businesses.
Key points:
- Contact insurance.
- Report damage to city or county government as soon as possible.
- Take photos.
- If federal assistance becomes available, registration info will be provided.
IRS relief now available to Hurricane Debby victims in all of South Carolina, most of Florida and North Carolina, part of Georgia; various deadlines postponed to Feb. 3, 2025.
Key Points: The Internal Revenue Service announced tax relief for individuals and businesses in four states affected by Hurricane Debby. These taxpayers now have until Feb. 3, 2025, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.
- The IRS is offering relief to any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Currently, this applies to all 46 counties in South Carolina.
- Individuals and households that reside or have a business in any one of these localities qualify for tax relief. The same relief will be available to any other counties added later to the disaster area. The current list of eligible localities is always available on the Tax relief in disaster situations page on IRS.gov.
- The tax relief postpones various tax filing and payment deadlines that occurred beginning on Aug. 1, 2024, in Florida, Aug. 4, 2024, in Georgia and South Carolina, and Aug.5, 2024, in North Carolina. The relief period continues through Feb. 3, 2025 (postponement period), in all four states. As a result, affected individuals and businesses will have until Feb. 3, 2025, to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during this period.
- IR-2024-205: IRS relief now available to Hurricane Debby victims in all of South Carolina, most of Florida and North Carolina, part of Georgia; various deadlines postponed to Feb. 3, 2025 (click for additional information).
CMS Announces Resources and Flexibilities to Assist with the Public Health Emergency in the States of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina
On August 8, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced additional resources and flexibilities available in response to Tropical Storm Debby in the states of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. CMS is working closely with the states of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina to ensure those affected by this natural disaster have access to the care they need. More information available at https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/news-alert/cms-announces-resources-and-flexibilities-assist-public-health-emergency-states-florida-georgia-and
Need help with cleanup from Tropical Storm Debby and the associated flooding that impacted our area? The South Carolina Baptist Convention – Disaster Relief team is in Dorchester County and are ready to assist. They can be reached at (843) 560-0644 to discuss your needs.