Senator Scott Issues Statement Marking One Year Since Hurricane Helene

CHARLESTON, S.C. - U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) released the following statement marking one year since Hurricane Helene to honor the lives lost, recognize the everyday heroes who stepped up in a time of crisis, and reaffirm federal commitment to helping South Carolinians recover:

"It's been one year since Hurricane Helene devastated communities across South Carolina, from Aiken County to the Upstate. We remember the families who lost loved ones, the first responders who risked everything to save others, and the neighbors who stepped up when it mattered most.

"As we honor the lives lost and the resilience of South Carolinians who continue to rebuild their lives, I remain committed to securing the resources our communities need not just to recover, but to rebuild even stronger than before."

With storms strengthening off the South Carolina coastline and a possible federal government shutdown approaching on Oct. 1, 2025, Senator Scott reassured South Carolinians that his office will remain available to assist constituents and urged residents to prepare for any potential weather emergencies.

Information on disaster assistance and preparedness is available at https://www.scott.senate.gov/disaster-resources.

Background

Senator Scott took the following actions to secure federal support and help South Carolinians recover from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene:

• Prioritizing disaster relief legislation
  • Senator Scott, along with a bipartisan group of Senators, urged Senate leadership to prioritize a disaster relief appropriations package. His efforts helped put pressure on Congress to act swiftly in response to the widespread destruction caused by Hurricane Helene.
• Improving accountability for the Small Business Administration's (SBA) disaster loans
  • After the SBA stated that its Disaster Loan Account was exhausted, Senator Scott and his colleagues introduced the SBA Disaster Transparency Act to improve transparency on the status of SBA's fund so that Congress can act before it's too late.
• Replenishing the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund
  • Senator Scott co introduced legislation to replenish FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund, a vital source of recovery funding for states and communities following natural disasters.
• Replenishing funding for the SBA Disaster Loan Program
  • Senator Scott co-led legislation to replenish funding for the SBA's Disaster Loan Program to make sure individuals and businesses affected by Hurricane Helene could access critical financial assistance to rebuild.

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