Second Round of Ice Storm Aid for Upstate S.C. Reported

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reported that to date an additional $1,677,402 in federal ice storm disaster aid has been approved for government entities including special purpose districts and certain private non-profit organizations in seven upstate counties.

President George W. Bush, at the request of South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, signed a major disaster declaration on Jan. 20, triggering federal aid to the counties hard-hit by the Dec. 15-16, 2005 ice storm, as well as state agencies.

Previously the state and FEMA announced the first funding of $1,082,221. This second round of funding brings the total to $2,759,623. Marianne Jackson of FEMA and Ronald Osborne, director of the State Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) explained that more funds are in the approval process. It is anticipated that total federal funding will exceed $9 million for the seven counties.

County amounts listed below include government entities in each county, special purpose districts, private non-profits such as electric cooperatives, and county agencies. Approved amounts are cumulative:

Anderson
$610,222

Cherokee
$543,616

Greenville
$228,125

Laurens
$92,773

Oconee
$321,612

Pickens
$386,718

Spartanburg
$277,207

State Agencies
$299,350.

FEMA is reimbursing applicants for 75 percent of total eligible costs for emergency work such as debris removal and necessary repairs to permanent structures.

The State of South Carolina will determine how the non-federal share (25 percent) is split with the applicants. The state’s payment processing for eligible applicants with approved projects will begin shortly.

Applicants must comply with state accounting requirements to include returning State Applicant’s Agreements and related expense documents prior to release of any funds.