State Agencies Urge Patience as Recovery Efforts Continue; Offer Guidance on Vetting Contractors

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October 3, 2024

Cleanup operations are in full swing in the wake of Hurricane Helene, and while progress is being made, the road to full recovery will take time.

 

Continued Efforts and Support

South Carolina's state agencies and local partners report the following as of 2:00 p.m. today:

  • The South Carolina Emergency Management Division remains at OPCON 1. There has been a total of 849 logistical requests. The requests range from shelter assistance to debris removal.
  • Thousands of line workers are working to make power repairs. As of 2:00 p.m. 376,760 outages were reported. At the height of the storm over 1.4 million outages were reported.
  • The South Carolina National Guard has activated more than 1,000 Soldiers and Airmen, and more than 30 vehicles and aircraft, including hoist and emergency aviation assets, debris removal and high-water vehicles. They have fielded 116 resource requests, completed 19 missions, and are currently executing 75 active missions. There are 14 chainsaw teams, 11 debris clearing teams, and nine Point of Distribution operation centers deployed across 14 counties in upstate South Carolina. The Florida National Guard and New York National Guard are also assisting with additional resources.
  • 11 general population shelters are currently in operation. View shelter information here.
    • Decisions to open shelters are made at the local level.
  • The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) has been in contact with 381 health care facilities to check on their power/electricity status and assist with any needs. DPH Care Line has received a total of 1,543 calls. DPH has distributed 1,347 oxygen tanks to county partners.
  • Road safety remains a top priority. Highway Patrol Troopers and State Transport Police Officers with the South Carolina Department of Public Safety have responded to 6,200 calls for service since storm operations began. If you approach a traffic light that is flashing red or is not working at all, you must treat it as a four-way stop. If the traffic light is flashing yellow, proceed with caution through the intersection without stopping.
  • Once South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) crews finish cutting trees and limbs and assisting with utility restoration, they will begin working to remove debris from the roadway. SCDOT contractors will begin removing debris in the 16 most affected counties, beginning with interstates and primary routes as early as next week. 
  • The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) Dam Safety Team has assessed the post-storm condition of 234 state-regulated dams and there are no significant issues reported or observed. SCDES continues to work with drinking water and wastewater facilities around the state and also is working with local governments and state partners to approve additional debris management sites to help communities dispose of substantial amounts of storm debris.
  • The South Carolina Department of Commerce is working with public and private partners to identify county and business-related needs following Hurricane Helene. Businesses are encouraged to contact the ESF 24 desk (803-737-8524 or esf24@emd.sc.gov) for assistance and to report damage. 

 

Contractor Guidance for Home Repairs

As recovery progresses, many residents will need to hire contractors to repair storm damage. State agencies are urging residents to be cautious and take steps to vet contractors before they begin any work. Residents can call the Residential Builders Commission: 803-896-4696 or Contractor’s Licensing Board and Building Codes Council: 803-896-4686 to report concerns or verify a contractor’s license.

 

Here are some key tips for choosing a reliable contractor:

  1. Verify Credentials: Ensure the contractor is licensed and insured. You can verify this information through the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation (LLR) website.
  2. Check References: Ask for references and check reviews or ratings from previous clients. This can help ensure the contractor has a good reputation for quality work.
  3. Get Multiple Quotes: Don’t settle on the first contractor you find. Get several written estimates to compare pricing and services.
  4. Avoid Upfront Payments: Be wary of contractors who demand large upfront payments. A reputable contractor typically won’t ask for full payment until the work is completed or at least partially done.
  5. Read the Contract: Ensure you have a written contract that outlines the scope of work, costs, timelines, and warranty information before the job begins.

By taking these steps, residents can help protect themselves from fraudulent contractors and ensure that their repairs are completed safely and correctly.

 

Residents can also use the Damage Assessment tool in the SC Emergency Manager app to report property damage to authorities. Download the app on the App Store and on Google Play: http://onelink.to/dn92rx.

 

Volunteers are essential after the disaster, especially during the long-term recovery period. To explore ways to volunteer or donate, check out opportunities through the South Carolina Emergency Management Division at https://www.scemd.org/recover/volunteer-and-donate/.