COLUMBIA, S.C. — A new Disaster Recovery Center is open in Richland County to help you find resources, or apply for FEMA assistance. It will only be here for a few days, before the state moves the resources to a different county.
The center is located at the Richland County Main Library in downtown Columbia. Anyone who needs help with FEMA grants, or finding resources like a new contractor, can come speak to a representative.
There are still many residents in the county struggling to recover from the storm. Anthony Cook came to get help after a tree fell on his fence and covered part of his property. The tree still hasn't been removed and he needed assistance to get materials to cut it down.
"It destroyed my fence and my mailbox," said Cook. "It was about that far from destroying my whole house. My back park is messed up but my fence is down. I need help with my fence and it was just a messed up thing."
Richland County was made eligible for Expedited Relief through FEMA, which allows residents to apply for grants to cover storm damage expenses that haven't been covered by their insurance. Representatives at the DRC help with the applications and finding other resources.
"Serious needs assistance, which helps people who are in need right now, if you need diapers, you need formula, you need medicine, you need food and water," said Tiana Suber, a spokesperson for FEMA. "If you've been displaced from your home, if you had damages to your home, if you have a small business, or you know you want to take out a loan for your your homeowners or renters assistance and things like that."
Suber says residents should come to the center prepared, and know a few things about FEMA assistance.
Bring all necessary documentation: Identification, proof of residence before the disaster, insurance claims, etc. This will help the process go smoothly.
Expect to meet with an individual assistant specialist: They will guide you through the application process step-by-step.
Schedule a home inspection appointment: A FEMA-badged inspector will visit your home, but they will not ask for money upfront. Be sure to answer the phone when they call to schedule the appointment.
Don't throw away the determination letter: Even if it seems like you are ineligible, the letter may just mean FEMA needs more information from you. Seek help at the center if you have questions about the letter.
The centers are temporary, but assistance is also available online, by phone, and through the FEMA mobile app if you can't make it to the physical location.
The centers can help with a variety of needs, including housing assistance, small business loans, serious needs like food and medicine, and hazard mitigation information.
The hours of the remaining days of Richland County's DRC are:
Oct. 25–26, 8 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
Oct. 27, 12:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
Oct. 28–30, 8 a.m.–7 p.m.