Team South Carolina Day Brings Vital Aid to Laurens, Union, and Newberry Counties

On Tuesday, October 15, hundreds of residents from Laurens, Union, and Newberry counties gathered at Piedmont Technical College’s Laurens County Higher Education Center in Clinton to receive assistance in the wake of Hurricane Helene. The Team South Carolina Day, part of a statewide initiative, offered a one-stop location for those affected by the storm to access crucial recovery resources and services.

Residents attended seeking help for a variety of issues, including home damage, food loss, prescription replacement, and healthcare needs. Representatives from state and federal agencies, including the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, the S.C. Department of Health and Human Services, the S.C. Department of Social Services, and FEMA, were on hand to offer direct assistance. The U.S. Small Business Administration and the S.C. Housing Authority also provided guidance on applying for disaster loans and finding housing repair resources.

Laurens County Administrator Thomas Higgs praised the event’s organization and the community’s resilience. He highlighted his meeting with Lieutenant Governor Pamela S. Evette during the event, emphasizing her hands-on approach.

“The Lt. Governor and I share a boots-on-the-ground philosophy, which was evident as she handed out water bottles and supplies to citizens,” Higgs said. “We discussed the financial impact of the damage, toured Lydia Mill, and visited Presbyterian College to assess the community’s progress. Despite initial differences with FEMA over the declaration process, we are now a unified team, working toward the future.”

Attendees appreciated the streamlined approach, which ensured that residents received targeted assistance for their specific needs. Representatives from agencies were eager to help, offering guidance on services such as disaster unemployment benefits, Medicaid enrollment, SNAP benefits, and home repair. FEMA officials were available to guide residents through the process of registering for financial assistance related to hurricane damage.

Higgs added, “You could tell how invested Lt. Governor Evette is in the State and its people. The community has done an amazing job with cleanup, and we are proud of the progress so far.”

For those unable to attend, more Team South Carolina events are scheduled across the state in the coming days. Additionally, FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Center continues to offer support, and residents can access information about the road to recovery through FEMA’s online resources:

• Survivor’s Road to Recovery
• FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC)
• Hurricane Rumor Response

Residents are encouraged to visit these resources to ensure they receive the necessary support.