Federal Helene aid passes $100M; nearly $5M into South Carolina, FEMA says

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — Southeastern states have so far received more than $100 million in federal aid to assist with recovery from Hurricane Helena, FEMA said on Saturday.

Here's a breakdown of where money and resources have gone.

North Carolina

FEMA has provided more than $26 million in assistance to more than 25,000 households. More than 700 FEMA staff are on the ground, with more arriving daily. More than 1,200 urban search and rescue crews have been deployed.

As of Saturday, officials have rescued more than 3,200 people and 1,000 National Guard troops are in the field to help with support and recovery. FEMA has secured lodging for 800 people through its Transitional Shelter Assistance program, and 22 shelters are housing just more than 1,000 people.

Power has been restored to more than 74% of customers. Nearly 8,000 crews remain in the state helping with repairs. Cellular restoration also continues to improve, with less than a quarter of sites down as of Saturday.

The Salvation Army has nine mobile feeding units in place, so far serving 7,100 meals, 6,660 drinks and 3,700 snacks.

South Carolina

In South Carolina, FEMA has provided $4.7 million to more than 5,700 households. The agency's disaster survivor assistance teams are on the ground helping people apply for aid and connecting them with local, state, federal and voluntary resources.

To apply for FEMA assistance, call 1-800-621-3362, go online to or download and apply through FEMA's mobile app.

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Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at . See more of his work here .