COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina emergency officials have now opened up a hotline for you to get your questions answered about the aftermath of Helene.
The South Carolina Emergency Management Division said Saturday that they've created the Hurricane Helene information line at the following number: 1-866-246-0133. People who have questions about the storm can call operators with the State's Public Information Phone System 24 hours a day. The number will be available for as long as needed.
State officials said people can ask questions about the state's response or any safety precautions they should take.
On Thursday, Helene dumped flooding rains in South Carolina ahead of coming ashore in Florida. It then made landfall just before midnight as a Category 4 hurricane on Florida's Big Bend region before pushing into Georgia. The storm tracked along the eastern side of Georgia and into the Upstate of South Carolina. That path then brought high winds to the western half of South Carolina, leading to thousands of downed trees and powerlines. At the peak of the problems Friday morning, there were almost 1.4 million people without power, but even with crews working around the clock, that number had only dropped to about 1.06 million early Saturday afternoon.
SCEMD is also giving the following tips:
- Watch Out for Power Lines: Avoid any fallen trees that may be tangled with live wires.
- Stay Out of Flood Water: It may contain hazards that can hurt you or make you sick.
- Avoid Unnecessary Travel: Help emergency workers by staying off the roadways unless absolutely necessary to travel.
- Take Pictures/Document Damage: Before starting cleanup, take pictures of any damage for insurance claims. Contact insurance company. Save all related receipts.
- Protective Gear: Wear sturdy shoes, gloves, eyewear, and a helmet when dealing with debris.
- Consult Waste Management: Contact local authorities about how to properly dispose of trash and debris.
- Residents can request voluntary agency assistance with debris removal, tarping of roof, etc., by registering their need with Crisis Cleanup. Call 1-844-965-1386.
- Discard Unrecoverable Items: Remove items that cannot be cleaned or disinfected properly.
- Use Proper Cleaning Supplies: Most household cleaning products can be used. Follow the label’s directions.
- Licensed Contractors: For professional assistance, use the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation to find licensed contractors at llr.sc.gov.
Residents can also use the Damage Assessment tool in the SC Emergency Manager app to report property damage to authorities. Download the app on the App Store and on Google Play: http://onelink.to/dn92rx.
Power outages remain widespread and should be reported to the local electricity provider for your area.
For more information, visit scemd.org.