ATLANTA -FEMA approved more than $21 million in funding to support 17 recovery and mitigation projects in South Carolina communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Hurricane Helene, Tropical Storm Debby, Hurricane Ian and other disasters.

Notable recovery projects FEMA funded include:

• $5.5 million to Renewable Water Resources for repairs to the sewage Collection System following Helene.
• $4.2 million to South Carolina Department of Transportation for debris removal following Helene.
• $4.1 million to Lexington Health Inc. for emergency protective measures taken during COVID.
• $3.8 million to the Santee Cooper power and water utility for repairs to the distribution and transmission utility system following Helene.
• $792,108 to the Horry County for Arcadian Shores Beach restoration following Ian.
• $597,638 to Dorchester County for emergency protective measures taken following Debby.

FEMA is reimbursing these recovery costs at no less than a 75% federal cost share through its Public Assistance program, which provides funds for state and local governments' response and recovery work.

Additionally, FEMA approved more than $112,000 for a mitigation project in the state of South Carolina:

• $112,500 to Pickens County for its multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan update.

FEMA is funding these mitigation projects at no less than a 75% federal cost share through its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.