Clarendon is one of eight additional counties approved Wednesday for all categories of public assistance to help municipalities and county agencies recover from Hurricane Matthew.
This assistance from FEMA enables state agencies, local governments and certain private non-profits to recoup costs for storm damage and response costs.
Joining Clarendon in this distinction are Calhoun, Charleston, Chesterfield, Darlington, Kershaw, Marlboro and Richland. Clarendon was just one week ago added to the list that allows residents and businesses to apply for individual assistance. At that time, Clarendon was also added to a list that allowed public entities to seek assistance with debris removal and emergency protective measures.
The new classification will allow the county and other public agencies within to apply for that assistance, plus further help with roads and bridges; water control facilities; buildings and equipment; utilities; and parks, recreational facilities and other items.
The FEMA Public Assistance program is a reimbursement grant program. Typically, the federal share is 75 percent and the state or local governments pay the remaining 25 percent whereas eligible private non-profit groups are responsible for the full 25 percent. More information about this program can be found here.
Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Berkeley, Colleton, Dillon, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, Lee, Marion, Orangeburg, Sumter and Williamsburg counties were previously designated for all categories of public assistance.
