President Biden Declares Emergency in South Carolina Due to Hurricane Debby
Washington, D.C., The Gulf Observer: President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. has declared an emergency in the State of South Carolina and ordered Federal assistance to support state, tribal, and local response efforts following the emergency conditions caused by Hurricane Debby, which began on August 4, 2024, and continues to impact the region.
The President’s action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate all disaster relief efforts aimed at alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population. This includes providing appropriate assistance for required emergency measures under Title V of the Stafford Act to save lives, protect property, ensure public health and safety, and mitigate or prevent the threat of a catastrophe.
Public Assistance (Category B) emergency protective measures, limited to direct Federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care, including evacuation and shelter support, will be provided 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
- Williamsburg
Additionally, Public Assistance (Category B) emergency protective measures, limited to direct Federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding for the counties of:
- Abbeville
- Anderson
- Cherokee
- Chester
- Greenville
- Greenwood
- Laurens
- Oconee
- Pickens
- Spartanburg
- Union
- York
Mr. Brett H. Howard of FEMA has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas. The Federal assistance aims to alleviate the impact of Hurricane Debby and ensure a swift and effective recovery process for the residents of South Carolina.
