(Richland PIO) – The Richland County Emergency Management Division (RCEMD), along with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) personnel, will begin “window” tours Thursday, Oct. 3 throughout the County’s 11 districts as part of damage assessment following Hurricane Helene.

The damage assessment phase is expected to last several days and will help determine whether the County is eligible for FEMA’s Expedited Major Presidential Disaster Declaration.

During a phone conversation Tuesday, Oct. 1, the S.C. Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) told Richland County that in order to be potentially considered for expedited disaster relief, the County, along with FEMA personnel, would need to identify between 25 and 50 homes that were deemed destroyed because of the storm. Richland County was not included on the initial list of counties identified by SCEMD for expedited assistance, but an SCEMD official told the County that it had not neglected to provide any information or paperwork, and that SCEMD had determined the initial list of counties based on anecdotal information.

“Richland County will receive every bit of aid and assistance that we are entitled to,” said RCEMD Director Michael Byrd. “It’s a process that we have to go through. It’s not easy and sometimes the rules change, but we will get everyone who is eligible for assistance the assistance they are entitled to.”

At the height of the storm, more than 190,000 homes were without power, and from Sept. 26-Oct. 1, the County had responded to more than 1,000 service requests received by the Ombudsman’s Office. Richland County residents and employees who live in the County are reminded to report hurricane-related damage and share photos by calling 803-576-3439 or emailing information and pictures to ombudsman@richlandcountysc.gov.

Regardless of whether Richland County is included on SCEMD’s expedited list in the future, the County will follow the traditional disaster declaration process of gathering damage assessment information and will submit all required damage assessment information to the state. Administrator Leonardo Brown stresses that residents should feel confident the County is doing and will continue to do everything necessary for residents to qualify and be considered eligible for storm-related disaster assistance.

“Richland County Council, Administration and staff have been and will continue to be by your side and working to serve our residents and communities in the best possible way that we can,” Brown said.

Additionally, Richland County Government has partnered with the Broad River Business Alliance to collect non-perishable items to assist residents and communities in need because of the devastating impact of Helene. Beginning Thursday through Oct. 25, collection boxes will be stationed at the following locations across Columbia:

• Richland County Administration Building, 2020 Hampton St.
• Department of Public Works, 400 Powell Road
• Richland County Judicial Center, 1701 Main St.
• Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) and Central Court, 2500 Decker Blvd.
• RCSD Headquarters, 5623 Two Notch Road

Items of immediate need include baby formula, Pedialyte, Gatorade, shelf-stable almond and soy milk, Carnation milk, assorted breads and bakery items, fruit, processed cheese, canned or sealed meats, peanut butter and hazelnut spread, jelly, preserves, assorted crackers, chips, canned soups, sugarless gum, paper towels, toilet paper, and body soap.