COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– President Joe Biden has authorized FEMA to help with disaster efforts in South Carolina, said a press release. FEMA announced on Friday, Sept. 27, that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of South Carolina to supplement response efforts due to emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Helene beginning on Sept. 25 and continuing. The disaster relief efforts will help with the hardship and suffering caused by the storm and will provide assistance to save lives, to protect property, public health and safety and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe. Federal funding is available to state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures limited to direct federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care including evacuation and shelter support for Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Calhoun, Chester, Colleton, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenwood, Hampton, Jasper, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, Saluda, Sumter, Union and York counties. Also, funding is available for emergency protective measures including direct federal assistance for Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Laurens, Oconee, Pickens and Spartanburg counties. Berkeley, Charleston, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Darlington, Dillon, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Lee, Marion, Marlboro and Williamsburg counties will too have access to funding. Brett H. Howard has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Categories: Local News, Richland Tags: FEMA