FEMA has established new Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) across the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) to assist residents affected by the recent hurricane. A new center opened at the Nancy Carson Library in Aiken County, adding to the existing centers in Barnwell, Richmond, and Washington Counties. FEMA’s goal is to establish a DRC in every county impacted by the hurricane, and more centers are expected to open soon.
Nikki Gaskins-Campbell, FEMA’s Media Relations Specialist, highlighted the importance of these centers in providing disaster relief. “If you suffered damage to your primary residence in South Carolina or Georgia and live in one of the eligible counties, you may be eligible for disaster assistance. Come out and get in touch with FEMA,” she said.
At the North Augusta center, FEMA staff assisted residents through the disaster relief process, offering face-to-face consultations. “People can meet with a FEMA representative, apply for disaster assistance, ask questions, and get updates on their applications,” Gaskins-Campbell added. Representatives from the Small Business Administration (SBA), a key partner in recovery efforts, were also available.
Residents like Jennifer Mealing noted that, while the process may involve waiting, the staff was helpful. Mealing, who waited nearly two hours, commented, “I’ve jumped some hoops, but they’re very nice and helpful.” Others, like Jeanette Jamison, had quicker experiences, praising the efficiency of the process: “It was very informative, and the lines kept moving.”
So far, FEMA has approved over $111.2 million in assistance for Georgia households and more than $126.3 million for South Carolina households. Gaskins-Campbell assured that FEMA would remain as long as necessary to support recovery efforts in both states.
The Nancy Carson Library DRC is open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. through October 17th. No appointment is needed, and additional information about other DRC locations is available online.