The United Way of South Carolina is asking for volunteers across the state who can help victims clean debris from their flood-stricken homes and sort the debris at the curb. United Way requests that volunteers register here: getconnected.uwasc.org/drm.
"What we've seen over the last week is the very best in so many people across our state - neighbors helping neighbors is what South Carolina does best," said Gov. Nikki Haley. "Team South Carolina is motivated, and that's a blessing, but what we need as we start the long process of cleaning up is volunteers. Whatever time you can give makes a difference."
“It is going to be hard, the work of recovery,” said Timothy Ervolina, president and chief executive officer of United Way of South Carolina, noting how hard and how long a job this will be. “After the news has moved on and nobody is talking about the 1,000-year flood anymore, United Way will still be here in South Carolina. We will still be working hard to rebuild communities and lives. That’s what we do.”
Debris removal workers are asking homeowners to separate the debris into six categories to speed the removal process: household garbage, construction debris, vegetation, household hazardous waste, electronics, and appliances (white goods).
Debris removal will occur for the next several months, and volunteers can help by putting together Flood Buckets for survivors.
5 gallon bucket
Sponges and scrub brushes
Heavy duty gloves
Retractable utility knife
Mold control spray
Bleach and disinfectant
Other items: http://s3.amazonaws.com/churchplantmedia-cms/first_baptist_church_fort_mill_fort_mill_sc/flood-buckets-instructions.pdf
To find where to drop off the Flood Buckets, call the S.C. Baptist Convention Relief Center at (803) 227-6031.
Other organizations are coordinating activities to collect items of need. The S.C. Conference of the United Methodist Church is delivering health and school supply kits throughout the community.
The S.C. Baptist Convention has also developed a disaster relief mud-out training video with basic procedures for safely and effectively cleaning debris: www.scbaptist.org/resources/video-library/disaster-relief---mud-out-training/156/
Survivors of the 1,000-year-flood who need help should register as soon as possible with the Federal Emergency Management Agency at 1-800-261-FEMA (1-800-261-3362). Flood survivors are also encouraged to call 211 to register with the United Way of South Carolina. They can help survivors find the best resources in their local community.
