CHESTER COUNTY, S.C. — Help has arrived for people in Chester County still struggling after Helene ripped through the Carolinas.
There’s now a FEMA site at the government office in Chester to answer any questions and assist residents with the process.
“We’ve had already 1,000 applicants who have applied online so we expect a good number of people who have applied and have questions or who have not applied yet,” said Hanna Kirschman with FEMA.
She said people can come out and ask about the initial $750 for serious needs, which she notes is “awarded to folks that have been displaced from their home from Hurricane Helene [to help cover the cost of] food, water, medical supplies, diapers, formula -- anything like that.”
Kirschman also adds people can come out and get answers on what’s not covered, like spoiled food.
"If you lost food after a power outage but didn’t see any damages or was displaced from your home – FEMA does not cover that," she explained.
Many residents went out on day one, and one couple told WCNC Charlotte with they’re hopeful to see what help they can get after their house was seriously damaged.
“It was rough. It was awful. [The roof] just flew right over top of the building and the backyard. One side did at first and then another big gust took the other side off. I didn’t go back to bed. I was up listening to that tin – it was terrible,” said Yvonne Mobley.
This FEMA site will be open from Oct. 24-26. Operating hours are from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Contact Anna King at aking2@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X, and Instagram.