Gov. Nikki Haley said during a stop Monday in Manning that two teams from outside of Clarendon County came in Monday and will be in the county Tuesday to combat the county's ongoing mosquito problem.
The critters have gotten worse since the 1,000-year flood that caused other problems with infrastructure and homes throughout Clarendon and other hard-hit areas in the state.
Haley's stop was part of the Team South Carolina event hosted at the Clarendon County Community Center behind Weldon Auditorium. The event served as a "one-stop" for those in need of relief from the recent torrential downpour that put more than 20 inches of rain on Clarendon County in a three-day span in early October.
"This is South Carolina working together," Haley said. "We want people to know that, if you didn't have any damages, please pay your blessings forward. But if you do have damage, you don't have to come to us. We will come to you."
State and federal agencies from Health and Human Services, the Department of Revenue, the state Housing Authority, the Department of Social Services, the Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief of South Carolina, the Small Business Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Administration were on hand to help residents with claims and other problems.
Haley said she understands that South Carolina residents are "frustrated with the process (of filing for federal aid)."
"But we know there are proper steps that you have to go through," she said. "We want you to apply with FEMA whether or not you have insurance or whether or not you're a small business."
Haley said farmers can seek assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and homeowners can seek assistance from the Housing Authority for 24 months rent or mortgage assistance.
"We have heard of folks being denied and getting frustrated with the process, but we still urge you to apply for assistance," Haley said.
SBA Public Affairs Specialist Adrianne Laneave said the agency has approved more than $12.9 million in loans.
"We know that another loan may not be what homeowners with damage want to hear, but a low-interest loan can get immediate capital into their hands to restore their dwelling to make it a home again," Laneave said.
She said the SBA isn't hindered by insurance arrangements that make applications with FEMA more likely to be denied. FEMA spokesman Mike Wade said the agency cannot "duplicate the money you get for insurance, and therefore we require you to provide us the proof that the homeowner has been denied."
"So, if you need immediate help, the SBA may be the way to go in that instance," he said.
Laneave agreed.
"With the SBA, you're not waiting for insurance to come back and tell you whether you've been denied for your claim," she said. "We're not waiting on insurance claims at the SBA."
Wade said every household is considered individually with FEMA.
"We think of FEMA as stuff for immediate needs, and the SBA is for long-term recovery needs," he said. "Residents apply and provide us the information, and they may be referred to the SBA. It's important if they are referred to fill out the loan application and send it in. They may be referred back to FEMA for more assistance."
Along with providing information and speaking with local residents, Haley also helped pack boxes with cleaning supplies, food and other items for flood relief.
"We've had a record turnout here so far," Haley said. "We've got folks who aren't afraid to ask for help. And the solution is in this room."
Haley said her team is also working toward the big picture, where "when we run out of solutions, we will have something else to help our citizens."
"Overall, this recovery will not be a one-day fix," she said. "It's not going to take us a long time either."
Asked about farmers' current needs, Haley said farming in Clarendon County was "devastated."
"Every day I went up in the air to look, and you couldn't find the farms," she said. "We found ponds. We found lakes. They were where farms used to be. So, being able to help the farmers is crucial."
She said being able to visit citizens was also crucial for her.
"I need to be here and talk to your county administrators, the mayors and other officials to make sure we are meeting your needs," Haley said.
That's how she discovered the mosquito issue, she noted.
"I've heard a lot about the problem you're having with the mosquitoes, and that's why two other counties brought trucks in today," she said.
Haley reiterated that, no matter what, residents should apply with FEMA, even if they believe they will be denied. She also encouraged denied applicants to appeal.
"It is very important to register with FEMA," she said. "The aid the state gets is based off of all of our applicants."
